Astra Books for Young Readers

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Astra Books for Young Readers

Books for all ages and children’s interests! Wordsong, the only US-based children’s imprint dedicated entirely to poetry.

Astra Books for Young Readers includes the following imprints: Astra Young Readers, Calkins Creek, Hippo Parks, Kane Press, mineditionUS, and Wordsong. Astra Young Readers is committed to creating award-winning, high-quality fiction and nonfiction for kids of all ages. Calkins Creek introduces children to the many people, places, and events that shaped our country’s history with award-winning nonf

iction and historical fiction picture books, chapter books, and novels that combine original and extensive research with creative, energetic writing. Hippo Park, like its namesake playground in New York City, aspires to create space for children to be free to explore, connect with their imaginations, and, most of all, to feel joy. Kane Press, with titles that have won multiple Teachers’ Choice Awards, is the publisher of illustrated STEAM and literacy titles that kids love as much as educators and parents do. mineditionUS, the recently created US program of one of the world’s most prestigious picture-book publishers, “is dedicated to creating emotionally resonant, artistically sophisticated picture and board books that bring world-class illustration to books for every child, building bridges between nations and cultures,” says Maria Russo, editorial director. Editorial Director Rebecca Davis explains that “Wordsong titles capture the vibrant, unexpected, and emotional connections between text and young readers.”

21/08/2024

Two hundred years ago, in 1824, the Marquis de Lafayette returned to America on its 50th anniversary as our Nation’s Guest. His 13-month tour of all 24 states in existence at that time began on August 15, when he arrived in Manhattan to be greeted and feted by cheering crowds. American citizens loved Lafayette because George Washington considered him a son and because, without Lafayette, we would not have won the American Revolution. Lafayette spotted American soil from his ship, the Cadmus, on August 14, when he sighted Sandy Hook, New Jersey. To commemorate this occasion, the Middletown, NJ, chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the American Friends of Lafayette organized a sunset cruise on August 14, 2024, to recreate that auspicious evening.

Calkins Creek Editorial Director Carolyn P. Yoder and Selene Castrovilla, author of REVOLUTIONARY FRIENDS: General George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette, were delighted to share this moment with none other than the Marquis de Lafayette—Bien Sur!

Hundreds of events are planned in the citied Lafayette visited. Learn about them at https://lafayette200.org

20/08/2024

Enter to win a copy of THE STRANGEST FISH on ! 🐠

★ “Arden’s lyrical, conversational text emphasizes the strong bond between Daisy and her new pet despite their limited time together; she makes clear that caring for another living being can alter us forever. With thick brushstrokes and a cool palette dominated by blues and browns, Marwan’s stunning pen, ink, and watercolor illustrations capture this unconditional nurturing bond, the concept of metamorphosis, and the transformative nature of autumn...A deeply empathetic look at the magic of love and compassion.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Giveaway ends September 2. 📚

19/08/2024

Join Astra authors on Thursday, August 22 for the 13th annual SLJTeen Live!

From 10:55 - 11:40 AM ET, Barb Rosenstock, author of AMERICAN SPIRITS, will be a part of the New Kids on the Block panel. Meet the freshest voices in YA literature as debut authors shine bright.

From 1:25 - 2:10 PM ET, Mason Stokes, author of ALL THE TRUTH I CAN STAND, will be a part of the History, but Make It Teen panel. Travel through time with us, where historical fiction gets a youthful, fresh perspective.

Registration and more information is available at the link in our bio!

17/08/2024

We are pleased to share that Calkins Creek has received 20 stars so far in our 20th anniversary year! ⭐️ Congratulations to our creators and the Calkins Creek team.

To learn more about Calkins Creek, click the link in our bio or visit astrapublishinghouse.com to read a message from Editorial Director Carolyn P. Yoder reflecting on how the imprint has grown over the last 20 years. 📚

16/08/2024

We are thrilled to share that THE STRANGEST FISH by Katherine Arden, illustrated by Zahra Marwan is a September/October Kids’ Indie Next pick! 🎉

Preorder today - available September 3, 2024! 🐟

15/08/2024

Happy birthday, Julia Child!👩🏻‍🍳

Julia Child was born hungry, but she was not born a chef. In fact, Julia didn’t discover her passion for cooking until she had a life-changing luncheon in France and became determined to share her newfound love of food with everyone. 🥘

Celebrate Julia’s special day by picking up a copy of BORN HUNGRY! Available wherever books are sold 🎂

07/08/2024

Although it’s still sunny, spooky season is quickly approaching 🎃☀️

Celebrate ~Summerween~ with fun DIY activities inspired by our favorite characters from MERMAIDS’ SONG TO THE SEA, ITTY BITTY BETTY BLOB, and MEOWL-O-WEEN. Carve watermelons 🍉, make flower crowns💐, and craft a gorgeous mermaid costume🧜🏽‍♀️! Visit astrapublishinghouse.com or click the link in our bio to see our recent blog post for a step-by-step guide on how to have some spooky summer fun!

06/08/2024

Happy to SWINGING INTO HISTORY! Young readers will root for Toni “Tomboy” Stone, the first woman (and the first Black woman) to break into professional baseball—taking over Hank Aaron’s roster spot—in this nonfiction picture book biography. Available today whenever books are sold! ⚾️🧢

01/08/2024

Our August playlist is already on repeat 🔁🎶

What’s your song of the summer? ⬇️

Art from 2024 Stonewall Book Award Winner CROSS MY HEART AND NEVER LIE by 💘 Available wherever books are sold! Be sure to also check out SAVE OUR FOREST, the newest story from ! ⭐️

31/07/2024

✨July Resource Roundup✨ Visit astrapublishinghouse.com to download the below free resources and more!

💫 CALL ME ROBERTO! Educator Guide

💫 THE MOST PERFECT PERSIMMON Activity Guide

💫SPIRIT SLEUTHS Educator Guide

30/07/2024

Happy to SAVE OUR FOREST! This bold graphic novel sequel to CROSS MY HEART AND NEVER LIE, which Alice Oseman called “a warm hug,” follows Bao, who bands together with her friends to save their beloved forest from being turned into a parking lot. 🌳🪧

26/07/2024

🚨As seen on Jeopardy🚨 Some of our favorite Calkins Creek picture book subjects! Swipe to see if you can identify these figures in American history 📚

❓Q: Women still didn’t have the right to vote nationally when this Montana woman was elected to Congress in 1916

❗️A: Jeannette Rankin!

❓Q: In 1941, this Congresswoman said, “As a woman, I can’t go to war, & I refuse to send anyone else.”

❗️A: Jeannette Rankin!

📚Jeannette Rankin is the subject of A TAKE-CHARGE GIRL BLAZES A TRAIL TO CONGRESS, the story of Jeannette Rankin, the first US congresswoman. Available now!

❓Q: In 1796 this artist may not have finished painting George Washington’s head, but the image was on the money in 1869

❗️A: Gilbert Stuart!

📚Gilbert Stuart is the subject of THE PAINTER AND THE PRESIDENT, a nonfiction picture book that explores how the artist created Washington’s most lasting and recognized portrait—the one that’s used on the one-dollar bill. Available 8/27!

25/07/2024

Have you heard? It’s ✨MERMAID SUMMER✨ Grab your tail and hit the beach with a copy of MERMAIDS’ SONG TO THE SEA 🧜🏽‍♀️

“Hand this to fans clamoring for new mermaid titles; they’ll learn something, too.”—Kirkus Reviews

MERMAIDS’ SONG TO THE SEA is available now wherever books are sold!

23/07/2024

Happy to SEA WOLVES! This lyrical, stunningly illustrated book explores the sea wolf—an apex marine mammal evolved from the gray wolf—as it navigates the coastline, eats seafood, and lives its extraordinary, unusual life. 🌊🐺✨

23/07/2024

Happy to FLOP TO THE TOP! Now in paperback! In this modern-day fable in graphic novel form, Wanda calls her brother and sister her “fans,” keeps up with all the celebrity news, and never ever misses a chance to share a selfie. She’s ready to show the world how Wanda-ful she really is but all people are interested in is...her floppy dog! 🐶

23/07/2024

Happy to ONE MORE STORY, TATA! This heartwarming story of a little girl’s bond with her great-grandma, who tells the silliest, most magical stories, celebrates four generations of a Jewish family who come together for Shabbat. 🌼

20/07/2024

These Titles From Mackin & Our Publisher Partners Will Help Your Students Thrive! 📚

Explore These Collections: https://buff.ly/3Ltine3

Orca Book Publishers Penguin Classroom Capstone Astra Books for Young Readers Albatros Books DK Books

16/07/2024

Discover the Follow My Food series! Listen to Kane Press Executive Editor Harold Underdown as he talks about this fabulously graphic and informative series for young readers. Two titles — GRANNY ROOT GROWS FRUIT and SHELLY HEN LAYS EGGS — release today! They're available wherever you like to buy books!

15/07/2024

Did you know there was another shocking July Presidential assassination attempt . . . in 1881?

On July 2, 1881 President James Garfield was shot by a lone gunman in a Washington, DC, train station. Like former President Trump, Garfield likely would have survived his wound. But it was the 19th century, and medical mistakes were made. Garfield died 80 days later. Read the whole story of this presidential assassination in AMBUSHED! The Assassination Plot Against President Garfield by Gail Jarrow, Books.

https://astrapublishinghouse.com/product/ambushed-9781684378142/

12/07/2024

This September, from the duo (Jesus Trejo & Eliza Kinkz) behind the 2024 Pura Belpré Honor book PAPÁ’S MAGICAL WATER-JUG CLOCK comes MAMÁ’S MAGNIFICENT DANCING PLANTITAS 🪴

is doing a ! From July 10 - July 17, Barnes + Noble Premium and Rewards members will get 25% off all pre-orders! Premium members ALSO get double stamps AND an additional 10% off.

So head on over to BN.com to pre-order your copy of MAMÁ’S MAGNIFICENT DANCING PLANTITAS now! https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mam-s-magnificent-dancing-plantitas-jes-s-trejo/1144474431?ean=9781662651069

We know you’ll love it as much as we do! 💖

10/07/2024

What’s your mermaid name? Inspired by MERMAIDS’ SONG TO THE SEA, use your first name and birthday month to find out!

Share your mermaid name below! 🧜🏽‍♀️⬇️

MERMAIDS’ SONG TO THE SEA is available today wherever books are sold 🌊

09/07/2024

It’s a MERMAID PARTY! 🎉🧜🏽‍♀️

Join us on Tuesday, July 16 at 10:00AM at the Osterville Village Library to meet , illustrator of MERMAIDS’ SONG TO THE SEA! There will be a reading, book signing, and crafts!

See you there! ✨

06/07/2024

Where do YOU p**p? Potty training becomes a funny, interactive game of discovery in this rhyming pull-the-tab board book. Kids will laugh out loud as they make each animal’s p**p appear by sliding the tab — and learn where they should go! 💩🐶

05/07/2024

Do you ever wonder how a book or a series came to be – the “story behind the story”? Take a glimpse behind the curtain with this fascinating chat between Kane Press executive editor Harold Underdown and author Sneed B. Collard III as they talk about the beginnings and inspiration behind LIKE NO OTHER: Earth’s Coolest One-of-a-Kind Creatures. 🕷️🐆🦥🦡

Visit the APH blog by clicking the link in ’ bio to read the Q&A!

04/07/2024

We hope your 4th of July is full of fireworks, barbecues, the beach… and books! Make some time to celebrate Independence Day this year with a good read about well-known—and not too well-known—Revolutionary War figures who fought and sacrificed to grow our country. 🇺🇸🎆

Visit the APH blog by clicking the link in ’ bio to find our recommended reads for the 4th of July!

03/07/2024

Looking for ways to maintain your young reader’s academic progress this summer? Check out the Astra Publishing House blog for fun, free downloadable resources and activities, including the resources below added in July ✨

💫CROSS MY HEART AND NEVER LIE Author Letter

💫ITTY BITTY BETTY BLOB Event Kit

💫A BEAR, A FISH, AND A FISHY WISH Activity Sheets

💫NIGHT STORIES Author Letter

💫COME CLOSER, TATITA Reading Guide

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Get to know author/illustrator Nora Dåsnes through 3 questions about her new book SAVE OUR FOREST! Available now wherever books are sold.

ATTENTION ❗️@barnesandnoble is having a 🚨PIPING HOT PRE-ORDER SALE! 🚨

This September, from the duo (Jesus Trejo & Eliza Kinkz) behind the 2024 Pura Belpré Honor book PAPÁ’S MAGICAL WATER-JUG CLOCK comes MAMÁ’S MAGNIFICENT DANCING PLANTITAS 🪴 @barnesandnoble is doing a #saleforthepages! From July 10 - July 17, Barnes + Noble Premium and Rewards members will get 25% off all pre-orders! Premium members ALSO get double stamps AND an additional 10% off. So head on over to BN.com to pre-order your copy of MAMÁ’S MAGNIFICENT DANCING PLANTITAS now! https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mam-s-magnificent-dancing-plantitas-jes-s-trejo/1144474431?ean=9781662651069 We know you’ll love it as much as we do! 💖

ATTENTION ❗️Barnes & Noble is having a 🚨PIPING HOT PRE-ORDER SALE! 🚨 This September, from the duo (Jesús Trejo & Eliza Kinkz) behind the 2024 Pura Belpré Honor book PAPÁ’S MAGICAL WATER-JUG CLOCK comes MAMÁ’S MAGNIFICENT DANCING PLANTITAS 🪴@barnesandnoble is doing a #saleforthepages! From July 10 - July 17, Barnes + Noble Premium and Rewards members will get 25% off all pre-orders! Premium members ALSO get double stamps AND an additional 10% off. So head on over to BN.com to pre-order your copy of MAMÁ’S MAGNIFICENT DANCING PLANTITAS now! https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mam-s-magnificent-dancing-plantitas-jes-s-trejo/1144474431?ean=9781662651069 We know you’ll love it as much as we do! 💖

Searching for THE perfect Christmas gift or stocking stuffer for kids? Discover MERRY WITCHMAS! Ginger the Halloween witch has a big Christmas wish--a visit from Santa Claus. But Santa doesn't believe in witches--until Ginger's letter to him magically appears on his desk!

Happy holiday season! We're so happy to share a collection of our books that make great gifts for the young readers in your life. All are available wherever you like to buy your books. #booksmakegreatgifts #holidaygifts #bookstagram #booksbooksbooks

So many fabulous books releasing today! Check them out... enjoy!

MEOWL-O-WEEN by @dianemuldrow and @tiffanychenart is a fresh and fun Halloween read-aloud that shows how even the smallest scaredy-cat can find the courage to overcome their fears! "(A) delightful Halloween adventure..." —School Library Journal https://astrapublishinghouse.com/product/meowloween-meowl-o-ween-9781662602009/

Beep! It’s done! A DELICIOUS STORY by Barney Saltzberg will be in stores everywhere tomorrow. Link in bio to see all the excitement AND order a copy for a kiddo who loves to gobble up great stories. https://bit.ly/3g5KaFg “This book IS delicious. Pun WAY intended. Imaginative and connecting.” — Jamie Lee Curtis, Bestselling author of Today I Feel Silly and Other Moods that Make My Day “Barney Saltzberg has done it again! A DELICIOUS STORY is hilarious, delightful, and . . . DELICIOUS! Kids will eat this one up!” — Peggy Rathman, Caldecott Winner for Officer Buckle and Gloria

There's still time to sharpen your pencil and get writing! The Astra International Picture Book Contest is accepting entries until April 30th. readinglife.com/writingcontest

Love is everywhere! And it’s not just us humans. From birds to elephants, rabbits to turtles, there is love and togetherness depicted on every page of the adorable board book WE LOVE EACH OTHER ❤️ https://bit.ly/3lg0tl6

Imagine microscopic worms living in the soil. They enter your body through your bare feet, travel to your intestines, and stay there for years sucking your blood like vampires. You feel exhausted. You get sick easily... It sounds like a nightmare, but that’s what happened in the American South during the 1800s and early 1900s. Gail Jarrow, Books's AMERICAN MURDERER uncovers the secrets of the parasite hookworm, commonly known as the “American Murderer.” Peek inside the thrilling #STEM read here: https://bit.ly/3wOLZev

Enter the Astra International Picture Book Writing Contest

Get lucky this Friday the 13th when you enter the Astra International Picture Book Writing Contest! https://readinglife.com/writingcontest Open to writers all over the world… looking for picture book manuscripts for children age 3 to 8 written in English, German, French, Spanish, Japanese or Chinese. #writingcontest #picturebooks

2022 was a spectacular year for starred reviews at Astra Books for Young Readers, with 22 stars across our children’s imprints, to be exact! Take in the glow here: https://astrapublishinghouse.com/22-stars-in-2022/

Did you watch the Amazon Original documentary "Good Night, Oppy" over the Thanksgiving holiday? Now, check out James McGowan's engaging book for kids, also titled GOOD NIGHT, OPPY! Mixing humor with solid space and rover facts, this picture book gives an inside look into Opportunity's time on Mars. Oppy's adventure in space—combined with her grit and perseverance—will inspire and educate young readers of all ages. https://bit.ly/Good-Night-Oppy

Silly Storytime with Hippo Park - A Bear, A Bee, and A Honey Tree

It's Hippo Park storytime! A BEAR, A BEE, AND A HONEY TREE by Daniel Bernstrom and illustrated by Brandon James Scott is on sale today... peek inside and add this classic to your collection of early reader read-alouds. https://astrapublishinghouse.com/product/a-bear-a-bee-and-a-honey-tree-9781662640087/

It's a rockin' #pubday for DAZZLIN' DOLLY: The Songwriting, Hit-Singing, Guitar-Picking Dolly Parton, written by Suzanne Slade and illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham. Sing along and get your copy at your favorite bookstore: https://bit.ly/dazzlin-dolly "A title brimming with love for a favorite country music star. . . A new generation will understand why we will always love this iconic singer/songwriter." —Kirkus Reviews "The tale of Dolly Parton's rise to fame is one of rags to riches, in which a resourceful and determined young girl is able to make it big..." — Booklist This inspirational and dazzlin’ picture book story of Dolly Parton—noted singer, songwriter, and humanitarian—follows her rise to fame, from her beginnings in East Tennessee to performing to thousands at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.

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Boyds Mills & Kane

Boyds Mills & Kane includes the following imprints: Boyds Mills Press, Calkins Creek, Wordsong and Kane Press.

Boyds Mills Press publishes a wide range of high-quality fiction and nonfiction titles for young readers. Established in 1990, Boyds Mills Press’s picture books, chapter books, novels, and nonfiction focus on excellent storytelling, imaginative illustration, and strong characters. Our exceptionally crafted titles are designed to entertain, inform, and engage children of all ages.

Calkins Creek publishes both nonfiction and historical fiction that introduces children to the many people, places, and events that shaped US History. Calkins Creek titles present multiple points of view through original and extensive research, and each innovative and skillfully written book uses primary sources, such as timelines, bibliographies, historical notes, and glossaries.

Wordsong is the only children’s imprint in the United States specifically dedicated to poetry. Wordsong titles capture the vibrant, unexpected, and emotional connections between text and young readers. Some of the well-known poets who publish under the WordSong imprint include Nikki Grimes, J. Patrick Lewis, Jane Yolen, Marilyn Nelson and Marilyn Singer.