Books published by Kids Can Press

Perfect for fans of STEM, this inspiring picture book biography tells the extraordinary story of pioneering astronomer Maria Mitchell.Maria longed to travel beyond her island of Nantucket. But how? Her father taught her that if you know how to read the stars, they can tell you where you need to go. They spent hours scanning the sky. Maria learned to use astronomers' tools to measure and track stars. But what could she do with her skills? Then one day, she heard that a prize was being offered to the first person to find a new comet. Could this be the opportunity she was waiting for?From small island girl to renowned astronomer --- Martha Mitchell's story will leave kids starstruck!

Scaredy never sleeps - sleep might mean bad dreams... With exhaustion taking its toll, Scaredy comes face-to-face with an alarming horoscope prediction: All his dreams are about to come true! He must prepare for the worst and his Bad Dream Action Plan includes a fire extinguisher to snuff out dragons and a fan to blast away ghosts. But when disaster strikes, will Scaredy survive this ordeal? Scaredy Squirrel at Night tackles a fear everyone - and especially the young --- can relate to. It''s a bedtime story to make light of kids'' fear of the dark and a fable for our sleep-deprived society.

This thoughtful, poetic book uses metaphors and beautiful imagery to explore the reasons for our tears.In a soft voice, Mario asks, ¿Mother, why do we cry?¿ And his mother begins to tell him about the many reasons for our tears. We cry because our sadness is so huge it must escape from our bodies. We cry because we don't understand the world, and our tears go in search of an answer. Most important, she tells him, we cry because we feel like crying. And, as she shows him then, sometimes we feel like crying for joy. This warm, reassuring hug of a book makes clear that everyone is allowed to cry, and that everyone does.

An accessible and engaging primer on the history of the universe and life on Earth.In this delightful book, kids can follow the fascinating story of how we got from the beginning of the universe to life today on the ¿bright blue ball floating in space¿ called Earth. They'll learn about the big bang theory, how our solar system and planet were formed, how life on Earth began in the oceans and moved to land, what happened to the dinosaurs and how humans evolved from apes to build communities all over the planet ... and even travel to space!Kids will be enthralled by this out-of-this-world look at how the universe began!

No matter where they live, children are always curious about the world. But nothing proves more fascinating to them than other children. Exploring the themes of commonality and diversity, this informational picture book introduces young readers to 12 children from around the world.

A beautiful exploration of how animals face the challenges of winter. When the autumn days grow shorter and temperatures cool, animals prepare for winter. The hiders find someplace to rest and wait for spring, huddled under the ground or snuggled in a sheltered spot. The seekers migrate to new locations with milder weather and better food sources. And the finders keep warm and fed by adapting to the harsh conditions. Every creature knows just what to do to survive winter - following an ingenious plan that''s just right for them! Readers will be transported through the magic of the seasons alongside the animals.

A fascinating look - in maps and stories - at neighbourhoods around the world! This unique illustrated map book explores the neighbourhoods of 16 real children from around the world. Each child''s story highlights what''s important to them in their community, from their homes and schools to the places they play and the sights and sounds they encounter every day. Whether it''s a big city, such as Amsterdam or Beijing, or a small community, such as Salt Spring Island in Canada or the village of Komanyana in Zambia, these places are special to the children who live there!

Isabel and Rollo are back ... but, who's in the doghouse now?Isabel's dog, Rollo --- ¿the cutest, funniest puppy¿ --- just doesn't seem like himself lately. Besides not fitting into her best friend Zoë's doll clothes anymore, he's become much harder to handle. Like when he pulls away from both girls to chase a squirrel --- then keeps running! Or when he eats everyone's ice cream right off the table! Sure, Isabel bent the rules (or, um, had no rules?) for Rollo when he was a baby. But now he's a teenager --- and he's out of control!! Is there a cure for this? Has Isabel created a monster?! Kids won't be able to look away!

Elinor and friends learn about structures and stability from giant sequoias!It's field trip day! Elinor, Olive and Ari are going to see some of the tallest trees in the world: giant sequoias. Though the friends expect them to be big, they're shocked by what they find in the forest. They can't even see the top of the largest sequoia! How tall is it? How does it grow so high and straight? And why is its trunk so wide? The friends look for clues to solve the sequoia's mysteries! Kids will be thinking big after learning about these giants. Who knew trees could teach so much about building block towers?

A brand-new early reader graphic novel series based on the acclaimed PBS Kids TV show.Elinor the rabbit is curious about everything. She loves to ¿follow her curiosity,¿ make observations and test her ideas as she explores nature's mysteries. One day, Elinor's curiosity is piqued when she and her friends Olive (an elephant) and Ari (a bat) are playing hide-and-seek. Though the friends keep choosing perfect hiding spots, the goat twins keep finding them! And quickly! How can they make themselves harder to find? Is the solution hiding in plain sight?Kids will be thrilled to discover how animals use camouflage: it's been right in front of their noses the whole time!

A one-of-a-kind story about empathy and friendship.When a robot asks a boy, ¿Can we be friends?¿ the boy replies, ¿I don't think so. You're a tin can.¿ The robot disagrees. After all, the robot can play music! Do math! Bake a cake! But the robot has no brain, the boy insists, and no heart. So surely it is a tin can. Is there anything the robot can do to change the boy's mind? To prove it's more than a piece of metal?This whimsical story considers what it takes to be like someone else. And, more important, what it takes to be a friend.

It's not just humans combating global warming. Meet one of Earth's ¿ecosystem engineers¿!In this fascinating and unique book, a marine biologist reveals how whales are ¿ecosystem engineers¿ --- animals that create, modify or maintain a habitat or ecosystem. Whales do this by reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. They store loads of carbon in their bodies for decades, even centuries; when they die, they sink to the ocean floor, taking their carbon with them. More carbon in the ocean means less carbon in the atmosphere. And it's all thanks to whales!Now kids get one more reason to love these amazing creatures! Whales are helping the planet!

The long-awaited sequel to the runaway bestseller The Most Magnificent Thing!This is the story of a girl who, with her dog at her side, loves to make things. Her brain is an ¿idea machine,¿ always so full of ideas, she can hardly keep up! But then, one day ... it isn't. All of a sudden, the girl can't think of anything to make. She tries brainstorming, gathering new supplies, even jumping up and down on one foot to shake an idea loose. Nothing. What if she never has another idea again? Readers everywhere will be rooting for their favorite thing-maker to get her mojo back!

A little rabbit, who doesn't like waiting, longs for spring.Little Rabbit is hungry, bored and very tired of winter. ¿When will it be spring?¿ he asks his parents. When they aren't sure, he turns to his wise grandmother. ¿Only the trees know,¿ she says. ¿Ask them, and they will tell you.¿ So Little Rabbit does. But the trees don't answer him. He tries shouting, jumping, listening hard. Still nothing. Then, just when he's about to give up, he notices something different in the forest, something that's right underneath his nose ...For every bunny who has a hard time waiting, this is the perfect story to show them how.

A mother bear at work all day never stops thinking about her child in this reassuring story with a heartwarming message. In this tender picture book, a mother bear tells her child about her workday. She describes one activity after another, and follows each description with ¿And I think about you.¿ Illustrations show her at her tasks, with a corresponding activity she imagines with her child in a thought bubble beside her. Then, turn the page, and the child is shown participating in a parallel activity at school. So, the mother bear reads her emails, and thinks about reading to her child, while the child reads on the carpet in the classroom. She shares a project with her coworkers, and thinks about sharing time with her child on the sofa, while the child shares a pinwheel during circle time. The rhythmic pattern will enchant and delight young readers --- all the way to the surprising end!Rosanne L. Kurstedt beautifully captures the loving connection between a parent and child in this sweet story told in a gentle singsong narration, with sound effects. Ya-Ling Huang uses layers of watercolor and colored pencils to create a soft, transparent visual effect. The repeated refrain --- ¿And I think about yoü --- is relatable, comforting and true, perfect for reassuring a child that, even out of sight, they are never out of their parents' thoughts. This book will encourage sharing stories, and could spark a wonderful routine for readers. It offers an excellent opportunity to explore what parents do all day at work as well. It is also sure to resonate with parents.

A lyrical picture book inspired by a traditional Central American Indigenous story with an environmental theme.Itzel loves to hear her nana tell the story about the giant snake that must be awakened to bring the rain. But most people no longer believe in the snake, so it has retreated. And now Itzel and her nana, and all the creatures of the jungle, are desperate for rain for their crops. So Itzel decides she must find and awaken the snake herself. Though she sets out in the night alone, Itzel is soon joined by an ocelot and other jungle creatures in need of rain. But will their search be in vain?Kids who travel with Itzel deep into the nighttime jungle will not soon forget the amazing journey.

The global ocean is in trouble --- and kids can help!Though we think of Earth's five oceans as separate and distinct, they are actually a linked system of circulating water that is one single ocean --- the global ocean. This comprehensive overview explores the global ocean's enormous influence on the planet, as well as humans' often-detrimental influence on the ocean. But it also highlights many inspiring initiatives underway to restore and heal Earth's most important feature, making its message of urgency as hopeful as it is accurate.Kids will happily dive into these beautiful pages to learn about our magnificent global ocean --- and what they can do to help save it!

¿You can write about ANYTHING, as long as you write about YOU.¿A young boy listens as Mr. Lopez explains the class's assignment: write about yourself. Marcus is going to write about his hat collection. Alia is going to write about the vampires she talks about all the time. The boy, however, doesn't have any ideas beyond a title: ¿The Story of Me by Me.¿ His sister suggests making lists as a way to start --- Thinks I Like, Things I Know. But the things all seem disconnected. Is there a way to tie them all together?Finally, a kid's-eye guide to writing! Perfect inspiration for every child to start their very own ¿Story of Me¿!

A boy with Down syndrome lifts spirits all over town!It's the day after the big storm. Adam and his dog, Up, are finishing breakfast when the mayor appears on TV asking everyone to help with the cleanup. She says, ¿Now, it's time to get to work. Up and at 'em!¿ When Adam hears the mayor tell him and Up to get to work, he's on it! ¿We can help!¿ Adam says. And as everyone in the town is about to discover --- they really can!With kindness in his heart and a smile on his face, Adam shows readers that everyone can make a difference in their community!

A captivating look at the life of a modern-day fossil hunter who makes the find of a lifetime told by award-winning author Helaine Becker. Wendy has an eye for the unusual and is skilled at finding things that others don’t see. While on a school field trip at age 12, she spots one of those unusual things poking out of the ground, and it turns out to be a piece of fossilized coral that’s 100 million years old. Wendy’s thrilled! And soon, she gets hooked on finding fossils. When she grows up, Wendy turns her passion into her career and becomes a preeminent fossil hunter, known as the “fossil whisperer” around the world. But it’s on a dig close to home where Wendy makes her most important discovery: Wendiceratops!. Becker’s narrative is full of energy, allowing Wendy’s intelligence, independence and unconventional spirit to shine through. Sandra Dumais’s illustrations keep the visual appeal high, cleverly presenting the modern-day story with loads of details while giving readers a feel for the past when dinosaurs roamed the land, including two intriguing gatefolds that reveal further secrets. This readable biography of a unique female role model in the male-dominated field of paleontology has strong STEM connections in life science and paleontology and applications in Earth history. It includes a biographical note, more information about Wendiceratops and fossil hunting, a timeline, a glossary and further reading.

A spare and beautiful story of resilience.It's a normal day, at first, for a girl on her family farm. But then the wind starts. It blows harder and harder and harder. Her mother grabs her baby brother. Her father opens the root cellar door. They pile in and sit in darkness. But when they emerge, their home is gone. Through a series of short sentences, many beginning with ¿I remember . . .,¿ readers experience the girl's emotional trajectory of shock, terror, sadness and, finally, hope --- and even laughter.Sometimes, the winds come for children. And when they do, a story like When the Wind Came can make all the difference.

The second title in the series about everyone's favorite young entrepreneur, Wednesday Wilson!Sometimes the best business ideas pop up when you least expect them. Or that's what happens to Wednesday Wilson, anyway, the morning her brother, Mister, locks himself in the bathroom because he's nervous about a school presentation. When classmate Emmet convinces Mister that a worry stone will calm his nerves, Wednesday offers her marble --- with the promise that a Worry Marble will fix all his problems! But then Wednesday starts thinking about how many things kids get nervous about. And, hmm. She has a whole collection of marbles.Has Wednesday hit entrepreneurial gold? Or maybe her brilliant new idea doesn't make cents.