Dan Santat

Meet Mr. Pip, a thoughtful monkey with a very big problem. His absolute best friend in the whole world is Frederick Lipton, a famous and incredibly talented actor. Frederick is always surrounded by amazing things, which makes Mr. Pip feel a little bit ordinary. When it comes time to give Frederick a gift, Mr. Pip gets down in the dumps. He worries that nothing he has to offer could possibly be special enough for someone so spectacular. But true friendship is not about being the smartest, the fanciest, or the most famous. Join Mr. Pip on a heartwarming journey as he discovers that the best gifts do not come from being a genius, but from simply being yourself. This dazzling story reminds young readers that you do not need to be perfect to be a wonderful friend.

Every child knows that long car rides can get incredibly boring. And when things get boring, time seems to slow down. But what happens when time slows down so much that it actually starts going backward? One young boy is just trying to survive a dull road trip to his grandmother's birthday party. As he stares out the window, the journey takes a wild and unexpected turn. Suddenly, he is traveling back through history, rubbing shoulders with pirates, knights, and even giant dinosaurs. He finds himself exploring Ancient Egypt and meeting famous inventors, all from the backseat of his parents' car. This incredibly inventive picture book captures the restless energy of a long drive and turns it into a magical adventure. With pages that literally turn upside down to follow the time-traveling action, this story proves that a boring car ride might just be the ticket to the greatest journey of your life.

Far away, on a magical island filled with colorful creatures, an imaginary friend is born. Like all the others on the island, he waits patiently for his turn to be dreamed up and chosen by a real child in the real world. But day after day, he is overlooked. While his friends drift away to meet their perfect matches, he is left behind. Tired of waiting for his destiny to come to him, this brave little creature decides to do the unthinkable. He builds a boat and sets sail on an incredible journey across unknown waters to the bustling, gray city of the real world. There, he searches high and low for his special child. This unforgettable story is a beautiful celebration of friendship, imagination, and the courage it takes to find your own place in the world. Join a lovable, crown-wearing hero on a breathtaking adventure to find the one person who will finally give him his special name.

Everyone knows the famous story of Humpty Dumpty and his great fall from the wall. But have you ever wondered what happened to him after the king's men put him back together? Humpty Dumpty is an avid bird watcher whose absolute favorite place in the world is high up on the city wall, closer to the clouds and the birds he loves. But ever since his terrible tumble, he has been absolutely terrified of heights. Now, his fear is keeping him from doing the things that bring him the most joy. He sleeps on the floor, avoids the high shelves at the grocery store, and watches the birds from the ground. Will Humpty be able to summon the courage to face his biggest fear and climb back up? This beautiful and inspiring picture book shows that accidents happen, but life truly begins when you find the bravery to get back up again.

There is a major crisis brewing, and it is all about snacks. Four hungry friends have gathered together, but there is one giant problem staring them right in the face. There are only three delicious cookies to share among the four of them. Hippo, Croc, and the two Squirrels are absolutely determined to make sure everyone gets an equal amount. But how can you divide three cookies equally among four friends? The math just does not add up! As the friends try to figure out a fair solution, the tension begins to rise. A nervous Hippo is getting so stressed out that he might just accidentally smash all the cookies into tiny crumbs before anyone gets a single bite. They need to act fast and use their best problem-solving skills to save snack time. This hilarious, fast-paced early reader is packed with funny dialogue and silly panic, perfect for kids who are just starting to read on their own.

Harold and Hog are best friends, but they are very different. Hog is careful and worries a lot, while Harold cannot help but smile all the time. Does that sound familiar? It should, because Harold and Hog are just like Elephant and Piggie! One day, they decide to play a game and pretend to be their favorite book characters. Harold puts on glasses to be Gerald, and Hog wears a pig nose to be Piggie. But there is a big problem. Carefree Harold is terrible at pretending to be a careful elephant, and worried Hog is struggling to be a happy-go-lucky pig. Can their friendship survive this hilarious game of pretend? You will laugh out loud as you watch these two pals try to act completely out of character. This funny, clever story explores the joy of imagination and the wonderful realization that it is always best to just be yourself.

Iris has one very important job in her apartment building. She is the official elevator button pusher. It is her favorite thing to do, until her brand new baby brother comes along and starts taking over her special role. Feeling pushed aside and frustrated, Iris makes an incredible discovery. She finds a mysterious, discarded elevator button of her very own. When she tapes it to her bedroom wall and gives it a push, the doors open to reveal breathtaking, magical worlds right inside her room. Suddenly, Iris has a secret escape where she can explore wild jungles and starry skies all by herself. But as she embarks on these amazing solo adventures, she begins to wonder if exploring the universe is quite as fun without someone to share it with. This dazzling picture book takes young readers on a soaring journey of imagination, showing that the most magical discoveries are the ones we share with the people we love.

Visiting your grandparents is usually full of fun, but for one young boy, it is mostly just quiet. When he goes to his grandfather's house, they struggle to communicate. They do not speak the same language, they enjoy different television shows, and they eat different foods. The silence between them feels like a giant, invisible wall, leaving them both frustrated and confused. But everything changes when the boy takes out his markers to draw. Seeing his grandson's artwork, the grandfather brings out his own sketchbook and traditional ink brush. Without speaking a single word, the two begin to create a spectacular, colorful world together on the page. Through epic battles of wizards and dragons, they build a bridge across the language barrier. This breathtaking picture book is a beautiful celebration of family, culture, and the universal power of art. It shows young readers that sometimes, you do not need words to say exactly what is in your heart.

Imagine a world where you can eat spaghetti for breakfast, have French toast for dinner, and enjoy a giant bowl of rocky road ice cream right in the bathtub. In this wonderfully silly and heartwarming story, a playful monster father promises his child a life filled with fun, laughter, and unconventional rules. From loud burping contests and building massive pillow forts to playing in the mud and staying up past bedtime, this dad is determined to make every single day an unforgettable adventure. But beneath all the goofy monster antics and messy games lies a deeply touching message about love and family. The father wants to share all these joyful moments simply because he loves his child, and because that is exactly what his own dad did for him. This sweet and funny picture book perfectly captures the special bond between parent and child, making it a delightful read-aloud for families to share together.

Being a top predator is not as glamorous as it sounds. Just ask the lion, the great white shark, and the timber wolf. These three fierce meat-eaters are tired of being misunderstood. They are sick and tired of the plant-eating animals running away from them, whispering behind their backs, and calling them mean names. It really hurts their feelings! Desperate to fit in and make some friends, the three predators decide to form a special support group. They try everything to change their ways, from wearing clever disguises to eating leafy green salads, but nothing seems to work. A carnivore is a carnivore, after all. Just when they are about to give up hope, a wise great horned owl arrives with some surprisingly practical advice about accepting who you truly are. This hilarious and clever picture book is packed with laugh-out-loud moments, showing young readers that you cannot change your nature, and sometimes, you just have to embrace your inner beast.

Some mothers are strictly by the book, but the best kind of mother knows how to make every single day an unforgettable adventure. This joyful story celebrates the beautifully unique and wildly fun bond between a mother and her child. Step into a household where an unconventional mom makes a brilliant promise to fill childhood with pure wonder, deep creativity, and endless play. She is the kind of mom who will happily serve warm nachos for breakfast, take you skateboarding along the breezy beach, and teach you how to do the dinosaur dance under a bright full moon. But beyond all the wild games and silly moments, she is also the one who gently kisses away your scrapes, wishes upon the brightest shooting stars just for you, and loves you fiercely for exactly who you are growing up to be.

Ricky Ricotta and his Mighty Robot are in a serious jam. After accidentally destroying the family minivan by using it as a giant skateboard, they need to figure out a way to pay for the repairs quickly. While they are busy trying to solve their money problems right here on Earth, a very different kind of trouble is brewing all the way up on Mars. The wicked Major Monkey is putting the finishing touches on a sinister plan to invade Earth and take over the entire mouse population. He knows that the only thing standing in his way is Ricky's giant metallic best friend, so he sets a clever trap to get the Mighty Robot out of the picture. When the Robot is tricked into flying to Mars, Ricky is left all alone to face an army of menacing mecha-monkeys. You will root for Ricky as he races against time to rescue his best friend, fix his family's car, and save the entire planet from Major Monkey's terrible invasion.

Imagine if the days of the week decided to go on strike. When Sunday gets tired of her busy schedule and quits, the rest of the week is thrown into a tailspin. They try out all sorts of wacky replacements like Funday and Acrobaturday, but nothing feels quite right. It takes a little girls simple gift of gratitude to show the days that they are appreciated and that every morning is a chance for a brand new start. Jump in: Join the calendar chaos as the days search for a new member of the week through a series of hilarious interviews. Why it pulls you in: This playful and big hearted story features whimsical illustrations and a funny plot that reminds you how much a little thank you can matter. Celebrate today: Discover how kindness and appreciation can turn an ordinary day into something extraordinary where anything is possible.

When you are growing up, there is nothing quite as special as your favorite childhood toy. For one little girl, Bear is not just a stuffed animal. Bear is a loyal protector, a tea party guest, and the absolute best friend she could ever ask for. Through all the many ups and downs of life, Bear is always there to provide a warm hug and endless support. Whether she is feeling brave or a little bit scared, Bear understands exactly what she needs. But as the years pass by and the little girl begins to grow older, things slowly start to change. Eventually, it might be time to say goodbye to her beloved friend. This deeply touching and beautifully illustrated story captures the pure magic of childhood friendship. It is a tender celebration of love, growing up, and the memories we keep forever.

Look at the letter A. Now look again. It is actually just an H that refuses to stand up straight. And that B? It is really a D wearing a belt that is entirely too tight. If you think you know your ABCs, get ready to view your letters in a completely new and hilarious way. Every letter in the alphabet is completely unique, yet they all share some very suspicious family resemblances. Through clever wordplay and mind-bending visual riddles, this book reveals that the letters you read every day are secretly hiding clever disguises. You will explore delightful doppelgangers and discover how a Z is just an L locked in a serious tug-of-war. Prepare to twist your brain and laugh out loud as you realize these twenty-six letters are just one big, goofy family. You will never look at the alphabet the same way again.

A platypus and a beaver are ready to catch some major waves. They have their surfboards, the ocean is perfect, and they are totally pumped for an amazing day of surfing. There is just one tiny problem waiting for them in the water. A shark is swimming right in their favorite surf spot! Using only one single word throughout the entire story, this hilarious picture book shows exactly how much fun these dudes can have, even when things get a little gnarly. You will be amazed at how a single word can tell such a thrilling and surprising story about friendship and hitting the beach. Get ready to laugh out loud as these two unexpected friends paddle out and discover that sometimes the biggest surprises turn into the best adventures.

Get ready to laugh until milk comes out of your nose with this incredibly funny collection of comic stories. Some of the greatest comic creators in the world have teamed up to write about every student’s absolute favorite subject: recess. Inside this action packed anthology, you will find eight sidesplitting adventures featuring familiar heroes like Babymouse and Lunch Lady, alongside plenty of brand new characters. The schoolyard has never been this wild. Prepare to face off against giant pizza monsters, uncover secret ninja clubs, battle alien invaders, and run from the terrifying Dinozilla. From epic playground battles and terrible puns to daring escapes and hilarious bullies, this book perfectly captures the chaotic joy of free time at school. Whether you love superheroes, mysteries, or just out of control silliness, there is a story waiting for you here. Grab your friends and jump right into the most exciting recess ever.