Derrick Barnes

Monte and Mabel have only one major item on their Christmas wish list: the chance to hang out with Santa Claus himself. When his famous sleigh breaks down right in their front yard after his final delivery, it seems like a holiday miracle! Santa needs a place to stay while waiting for spare parts, and the kids are thrilled to host him. But it turns out that the jolly man in red is a terrible houseguest. Santa stays up late rocking out to loud music, swigs spaghetti sauce straight from the jar, and totally messes with Dad's motorcycle. The family quickly realizes that having Santa around is exhausting, and they all agree on one thing: Santa's gotta go! This hilarious holiday tale explores the chaotic reality of getting exactly what you wish for. Join the fun as the family tries to figure out a polite way to evict their favorite holiday icon!

Step inside the barbershop, because this is where the magic happens. A trip to the barber is not just about getting a haircut; it is about transforming into royalty. With a princely cape draped over your shoulders and a fresh, crisp line carved into your hair, you suddenly see yourself in a brilliant new light. Looking good makes you feel unstoppable. When you step out of that chair with a perfect cut, you walk a little taller and your confidence shines brighter. It feels like wearing an invisible crown that tells the whole world exactly how special you are. This rhythmic and high-spirited book is a powerful celebration of self-esteem, swagger, and the pure joy of accepting who you are. Discover the beauty of a fresh start and the incredible feeling of knowing your own worth.

Meet the fabulous, oh-so-spectacular Ruby Marigold Booker! As the spirited eight-year-old baby sister to the three most popular boys on Chill Brook Avenue, Ruby always knows how to make her presence known. She sings like a superstar, carries around a pet iguana named Lady Love, and rocks her absolute favorite color: grape-jelly purple. Ruby has big dreams, including becoming the most famous animal doctor on the entire planet. But right now, her biggest challenge is navigating the ups and downs of a brand-new school year. Stepping into a new classroom means facing fresh challenges, making new friends, and proving she is just as tough and brilliant as her older brothers. With her trademark sass and unshakeable confidence, Ruby is ready to take the school by storm. Join this fierce and funny protagonist as she discovers that being brave just means being entirely, unapologetically yourself.

Ruby Marigold Booker is sweet, sassy, and every bit as tough as her three older brothers. Being the baby sister to the most popular boys on Chill Brook Avenue means she is always keeping an eye on their mischief when she isn't hanging out with her best friend. Now, Ruby is stepping into the spotlight to host a massive pink slumber party, and it is going to be spectacular. There is just one problem: the last time Ruby had her friends over for a sleepover, her big brother Roosevelt spent the entire night playing annoying tricks on them. This time, Ruby is not going to just sit back and let it happen. It is officially payback time. Armed with a little lipstick, a brilliant plan, and a lot of know-how, Ruby and her crew are ready to teach Ro a hilarious lesson he will never forget. Dive into this fun-filled chapter book and discover why you should never mess with the ultra-fabulous Ruby Booker!

Everyone gets frustrated sometimes, but what matters is how you handle it! When anger starts bubbling up and threatens to ruin the day, it is time to learn a brand-new way to keep your cool. This engaging rhyming book helps young readers discover simple, constructive ways to manage their biggest emotions. Follow along as a young boy faces irritating moments and learns to pause before reacting. With catchy rhymes and relatable situations, you will find out how taking a step back can completely change the outcome of a tough situation. Instead of blowing your top, you can practice a new routine that keeps you grounded. Perfect for early readers, this story is a wonderful tool for building patience and emotional awareness. Discover the power of taking a deep breath and learning exactly how to stop, drop, and chill!

The morning sun is shining like a bright crown, and today is your day to rule! Starting kindergarten is a massive milestone, and you are totally ready to step up and make your mark. Armed with a full belly of pancakes and a whole lot of confidence, one little boy is prepared to conquer his very first day of school. From dressing himself to meeting his new teacher, he faces every new experience with infectious joy and pride. His classroom is a brand-new kingdom filled with friends to meet, games to play, and incredible things to learn. This empowering and joyful story provides a perfect confidence boost for any young reader getting ready for their big first day. Get ready to embrace your brilliance, put on your invisible crown, and reign as the proud King of Kindergarten!

Bring on the spotlight, because eight-year-old Ruby Marigold Booker is absolutely ready to shine! As the fabulous baby sister to the most popular boys on Chill Brook Avenue, Ruby knows how to hold her own. When an exciting animal trivia contest is announced at school, she realizes this is her ultimate chance to prove her brilliance. The stakes are high: the winner will score season passes to the Chill Brook Zoo for their entire grade! Ruby is determined to secure the prize and become the ultimate trivia queen of the third grade. However, memorizing a million wild animal facts is no easy task, and she quickly realizes she might need a little help to pull off a victory. Join the smart, sassy, and spectacular Ruby as she hits the books and recruits her friends and brothers for a hilarious study session. Will she remember enough facts to conquer the competition and claim the zoological crown?

High-flying Ruby Booker is ready to soar to spectacular new heights and grab the spotlight. After watching her older cousin Kee Kee completely rock a cheerleading competition, eight-year-old Ruby knows exactly what she needs to do. Mastering those incredible high-flying moves seems like the perfect way to bring a ton of well-deserved attention her way. But things do not go exactly as planned. During a practice session with her brother Marcellus, a tumbling mishap leaves Ruby with an injured arm and a quick trip to the hospital. Instead of a cheerleading trophy, she comes home wearing a massive hot-pink cast. Naturally, Ruby turns her bad luck into a fabulous opportunity. Armed with a great conversation piece, she starts telling a million wildly different, dramatic versions of her accident to everyone she meets at school. Before she knows it, her spectacular stories make her the absolute center of attention after all! Join the ultra-fabulous Ruby Marigold Booker in this hilarious chapter book full of sass, family fun, and unbreakable confidence.

Get ready to rock the first day of school! MJ is absolutely thrilled to start kindergarten, and she knows she is going to have a fantastic time. With her hair freshly braided and her mother's special tiara resting proudly on her head, she feels completely unstoppable. But MJ knows that her beautiful tiara is not just for show. It serves as a wonderful reminder of all the amazing things she brings to her new classroom. From her bright smile and warm kindness to her impressive soccer skills on the playground, MJ is ready to share her unique talents with everyone she meets. This joyful story is the perfect way to build excitement and confidence for the newest students heading off to school. You will love following along as this confident little girl makes new friends, spreads happiness, and truly rules her very first day of kindergarten.

You are a nonstop ball of energy, a go-getter, and a leader with brilliant plans for the future. This empowering story celebrates everything that makes you unique, confident, and full of light. Follow a proud young boy as he shows the world his creativity, his adventurous spirit, and what it means to be a truly good friend. Sometimes you might fall down, but the important part is that you always get back up. Even when you feel afraid or misunderstood, your inner strength shines through. This book is an uplifting reminder to see the good in yourself and others, proving there are everyday superheroes all around us. With rhythmic words and vibrant art, this celebration of boyhood will inspire you to dream big, stand tall, and know that you are every good thing.

Rasheed knows for a fact that he has the absolute best big brother in the world. Anthony has always been his hero, keeping him safe during loud storms and teaching him the coolest tricks, from making mud pies to flying high on a swing. Now that Rasheed is growing up, Anthony is helping him master big-boy skills like buttoning shirts and riding a bike. But things get complicated when Anthony needs his own space to hang out with his older friends. At first, Rasheed feels completely crushed to be left out. Luckily, a heartfelt talk reminds him that even when they are apart, their brotherly bond never changes. When their parents share the massive news that they will both be big brothers soon, Rasheed finally knows exactly how to step up. This joyful story perfectly captures the tenderness of family and the magic of sibling love.

Some days, it feels like absolutely everything is going wrong from the moment you wake up. When the sky is full of gloomy clouds and your favorite morning cartoon gets canceled, it is incredibly easy to catch a serious case of the bad-day blues. But what if you have the power to turn it all around? Follow along as one young boy faces a frustrating chain of disappointments and discovers a powerful secret: a simple change in attitude can completely shift the course of his day. When you choose to look for the bright side, even the lowest moments can become a little bit better. This relatable and encouraging story helps young readers understand how to navigate negative feelings and find joy even when things don't go according to plan. It is the perfect reminder that tomorrow is always a fresh start!

Bobby Beacon has real fire flowing through his veins, and learning to control his sizzling superpowers is not going to be easy. Starting at a new school is supposed to help him manage his hot temper, but a clash with a strict teacher quickly lands him in the principal's office. It feels impossible to stay calm when everyone pushes you to the edge. Everything changes when Bobby gets assigned to a new classroom with a teacher who actually understands him. She shows Bobby how to cool down, focus his energy, and realize that caring for others is the ultimate superpower. With fresh guidance and a cool new group of friends by his side, Bobby is ready to master his abilities. This vibrant story is a thrilling ride about finding the right support, embracing your unique gifts, and becoming the best version of yourself.