Books to Read with Dad

Ages 2-5

Just Like Dad
By Mercer Mayer
24 Pages | Ages 2-5 | Hardcover
ISBN 9781984830876 | Golden Books
Little Critter loves his dad, and one day, he hopes to be just like him! Children ages two to five will enjoy this heartwarming full-color Little Golden Book about the special bond between Little Critter and his dad.

Ages 3-7

Great Job, Dad!
By Holman Wang
32 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover
ISBN 9780735264106 | Tundra Books
Being a dad is eleven jobs in one! This unique picture book for very young readers celebrates the many jobs being a parent encompasses. When Dad gets home from his day job at the office, he never knows which job will be waiting for him, but he knows it’ll be fun!

I Love Daddy Every Day
By Isabel Otter
Illustrated by Alicia Más
32 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover
ISBN 9780593123058 | Rodale Kids
With adorably-illustrated vignettes and an array of father-child pairings enjoying all the sweet moments that make dads special throughout the year, I Love Daddy Every Day shares the message that love, hope, kindness, and generosity are relevant all year round.

I Love Dad with The Very Hungry Caterpillar
By Eric Carle
32 Pages | Ages 3-5 | Hardcover
ISBN 9781524785895 | World of Eric Carle
Celebrate Dad’s special day by saying “I Love You”–with a little help from The Very Hungry Caterpillar. This bright and colorful book is the ideal way to tell the person you call “Dad” how much you appreciate him.

Just Me and My Dad
By Mercer Mayer
24 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Paperback
ISBN 9780307118394 | Random House Books for Young Readers
Mercer Mayer’s Little Critter is going on a camping trip with his dad in this classic, funny, and heartwarming book. Whether he and his dad are canoeing, fishing, or building a campfire, parents and children alike will relate to this beloved story. A perfect gift for Father’s Day . . . or any day!

Where’s Baby?
By Anne Hunter
40 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover
ISBN 9780735264984 | Tundra Books
In this clever introduction to prepositions, a near-sighted Papa is looking for his baby. Is Baby up in the tree? Is Baby under the log? Is Baby around the corner? Where could Baby be? Readers will delight in spotting the little fox on every page as Papa wanders the forest, encountering other animals all along the way, but never quite able to spot his own baby.

Ages 4-8

Hey Grandude!
By Paul McCartney
Illustrated by Kathryn Durst
32 Pages | Ages 4-6 | Hardcover
ISBN 9780525648673 | Random House Books for Young Readers
Meet Grandude–a super-cool grandfather who is an intrepid explorer with some amazing tricks up his sleeve. With his magic compass, he whisks his four grandkids off on whirlwind adventures, taking them all around the globe.

How to Babysit a Grandpa
By Jean Reagan
Illustrated by Lee Wildish
32 Pages | Ages 5-8 | Hardcover
ISBN 9780375867132 | Knopf Books for Young Readers
Celebrate the special bond between grandpas and grandchildren in this delightful New York Times bestseller that puts the kids in charge! Written in a how-to style, the narrator gives important tips for “babysitting” a grandpa, including what to eat for snack, what to do on a walk, and how to play with a grandpa.

It’s Great Being a Dad
By Dan Bar-el
Illustrated by Gina Perry
32 Pages | Ages 4-8 | Hardcover
ISBN 9781770496057 | Tundra Books
A gang of mythical creatures is roaming around a magical land having a great time, until Bigfoot gets his foot stuck in a tree trunk and Unicorn gets her horn impaled on a table and Robot’s saw-arm gets rusted into position. But have no fear! Dad is there to fix things–even when a Sneaky Flying Alligator Pirate steals the Fairy Queen Ballerina Doctor’s wand.

All Ages

Dr. Seuss’s I Love Pop!
By Dr. Seuss
32 Pages | All Ages | Hardcover
ISBN 9781984848123 | Random House Books for Young Readers
Show Dad some love on Father’s Day–or ANY day–with this small hardcover book of simple, unrhymed observations about all the things we love and appreciate about our dads. Who really needs aftershave or soap-on-a-rope? Shower Pop with love instead!

Guess How Much I Love You
By Sam McBratney
Illustrated by Anita Jeram
40 Pages | All Ages | Hardcover
ISBN 9780763674489 | Candlewick Press
Sometimes, when you love someone very, very much, you want to find a way of describing how much you treasure themBut, as Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare discover, love is not an easy thing to measure! For two decades, Sam McBratney’s timelessly endearing story, beautifully rendered in Anita Jeram’s exquisite watercolors, has captured the deep and tender bond between parent and child. Guess How Much I Love You is one of the world’s best-loved picture books. Download a pop-up Father’s Day card here.

Need more inspiration? Check out Indigo’s Father Day shop for more great gifts for Dad!

Books to Read with Mom

Ages 0-3

My Two Moms and Me
By Michael Joosten
Illustrated by Izak Zenou
22 Pages | Ages 0-3
ISBN 9780525580126 | Doubleday Books for Young Readers

Families with same-sex parents are celebrated in this board book that follows busy moms and their kids throughout their day—eating breakfast, going on a playdate, heading to the pool for a swim, and settling back in at night with a bedtime story and a good-night lullaby. LGBTQ+ parents and their friends and families will welcome this inclusive and cheerful book that reflects their own lives and family makeup. With artwork by acclaimed fashion illustrator Izak Zenou, this is a stylish, smart, humorous, family-focused book that will have babies and their two moms giggling as they enjoy it together. It’s an ideal baby-shower and first-birthday gift.

Llama Llama Red Pyjama
By Anna Dewdney
34 Pages | Ages 1-3
ISBN 9780451474575 | Viking Books for Young Readers

Llama Llama’s tale of nighttime drama has charmed readers as a classic hardcover for a full decade. For the first time, Anna Dewdney’s infectious rhyming text and expressive artwork are available for the youngest of readers in this board book edition.

Ages 2-5

Superhero Mom
By Timothy Knapman
Illustrated by Joe Berger
26 Pages | Ages 2-5
ISBN 9781536212150 | Nosy Crow

All moms are amazing, and the mom in this story is no exception. She doesn’t wear a cape or fly around, but she runs for the bus so fast it feels like flying; uses her superstrength to carry her daughter’s boots, coat, bag, and scooter; and can make bumps and bruises better with just a kiss. Maybe moms really do have superpowers!

Ages 3-7

Llama Llama Mother’s Day Present
By Anna Dewdney
24 Pages | Ages 3-5
ISBN 9780593094181 | Penguin Young Readers

Llama Llama is determined to make Mother’s Day as special as possible for his mama. Your little llamas will love relating to their favorite picture book character as he faces new and challenging situations.

I Love Mom with The Very Hungry Caterpillar
By Eric Carle
32 Pages | Ages 3-5
ISBN 9780451533463 | World of Eric Carle

Show Mom just how much she means with this colorful book from the World of Eric Carle. Join The Very Hungry Caterpillar as he honors Mother’s Day and celebrates incredible parents everywhere. With joyful illustrations and colorful creatures, this charming keepsake is a great way to show parents, grandparents, soon-to-be mothers, aunts, friends, or whomever you call “Mom” just how much you care.

Great Job, Mom!
By Holman Wang
32 Pages | Ages 3-7
ISBN 9780735264083 | Tundra Books

Being a mom is eleven jobs in one! This unique picture book for very young readers celebrates the many jobs being a parent encompasses: A general who rallies the troops (or unruly kids), a curator of modern art (or finger paintings), an archeologist looking for buried treasures (or socks) . . . when Mom gets home from her day job as a carpenter, she never knows which job will be waiting for her, but she knows it’ll be fun!

Just Me and My Mom/Just Me and My Dad
By Mercer Mayer
48 Pages | Ages 3-7
ISBN 9780385371759 | Random House Books for Young Readers

This deluxe storybook features two Little Critter stories in one book! In the first story, Little Critter enjoys a day in the city with his mom. Then flip the book over to read about Little Critter’s very first camping trip with his dad.

My Mom and Me
By Adam Hargreaves
32 Pages | Ages 3-7
ISBN 9781524792381 | Grosset & Dunlap

From making you smile–even when things are going wrong–to knowing just when hugs are needed, moms are Splendid, Fun, Magic, and Sunshine: lots of the Little Misses rolled into one! This book featuring the Little Miss characters will help you show your mom just how special she is to you. The perfect book for Mother’s Day, a new mom, a mother’s birthday–or for anytime you want to say I love you. Readers can also add their own words about their mom at the end of the book to make it a special, personalized gift.

Ages 4-8

How to Raise a Mom
By Jean Reagan
Illustrated by Lee Wildish
32 Pages | Ages 4-8
ISBN 9780553538298 | Knopf Books for Young Readers

This humorous new addition to the beloved HOW TO . . . books takes readers through a playful, busy day with Mom. Written in an instructional style, two siblings suggest the best ways to raise a happy, healthy mom—from waking her up in the morning to arranging play dates, to making sure she gets enough exercise, some quiet time, and plenty of veggies! Filled with charming role-reversal humor, creative ideas, and lots of love, How to Raise a Mom is the perfect gift for Mother’s Day—or any day!

How to Babysit a Grandma
By Jean Reagan
Illustrated by Lee Wildish
32 Pages | Ages 5-8
ISBN 9780385753845 | Knopf Books for Young Readers

When you babysit a grandma, if you’re lucky, you’ll have a sleepover at her house! And with the useful tips found in this book, you’re guaranteed to become an expert grandma-sitter in no time. (Be sure to check out the sections on: How to keep a grandma busy; Things to do at the park; Possible places to sleep, and what to do once you’re both tucked in for the night.)

Ages 7-10

Fairy Mom and Me #1
By Sophie Kinsella
Illustrated by Marta Kissi
160 Pages | Ages 7-10
ISBN 9780735263352 | Puffin Canada

Ella Brook can’t wait to grow up, because one day she will become a fairy and have her own sparkly wings and a teacher on Fairy Tube, just like her mom! Until then, Ella has to learn by watching her mom in action. But sometimes spells go wrong, and Ella’s mom can never seem to remember the right magic codes. A lot of the time, it’s up to Ella to come to the rescue. Does she have what it takes to be a fairy one day? Or will there be more glitches than glitter?

Fairy Mom and Me #2: Fairy in Waiting
By Sophie Kinsella
Illustrated by Marta Kissi
160 Pages | Ages 7-10
ISBN 9780735263383 | Puffin Canada

Ella Brook is used to being a Fairy-in-Waiting. It means that one day she will become a fairy with her own sparkly wings and Computawand just like her mom. But sometimes Ella doesn’t want to have to wait any longer. After all, she helps her mom remember magic codes all the time! If only there was a spell for growing up faster. Will Ella prove that she’s ready to become a fairy? Or will she learn that she doesn’t need real magic to save the day?

Ages 8-12

Anne of Green Gables
By L. M. Montgomery
384 Pages | Ages 8-12
ISBN 9781770497313 | Tundra Books

When Marilla Cuthbert and her brother, Matthew, decide to adopt a child from a distant orphanage, they don’t get quite what they bargained for. The child who awaits them at the tiny Bright River train station is not the strapping young boy they’d imagined–someone to help Matthew work the fields of their small farm–but rather a freckle-faced, redheaded girl named Anne (with an e, if you please).
Matthew and Marilla may not be sure about Anne, but Anne takes one look at Prince Edward Island’s red clay roads and the Cuthberts’ snug white farmhouse with its distinctive green gables and decides that she’s home at last. But will she be able to convince Marilla and Matthew to let her stay?
Armed with only a battered carpetbag and a boundless imagination, Anne charms her way into the Cuthberts’ hearts–and into the hearts of readers as well. She truly is, in the words of Mark Twain, “the dearest and most lovable child in fiction since the immortal Alice.”

Marvel Fearless and Fantastic! Female Super Heroes Save the World
By Sam Maggs, Ruth Amos and Emma Grange
128 Pages | Ages 8-12
ISBN 9781465478856 | DK Children

How did Captain Marvel gain superhuman powers? When was Shuri crowned queen of Wakanda? From Gamora to Wasp, this beautiful illustrated book celebrates diverse female Super Heroes who use their strength, intelligence, and courage to save the world. More than 50 character profiles explore the origins and achievements of fierce fan-favorites such as Ms. Marvel, America Chavez, Squirrel Girl, and Black Widow. With a foreword by Marvel Comics writer Kelly Thompson, DK’s Fearless and Fantastic! is the ultimate feminist tribute to Marvel Comics’ most powerful women and girls. This book will be a treasured gift for comic book fans and beginners, and fans of 2019’s hugely popular Captain Marvel movie.

Wonder
By R.J. Palacio
320 Pages | Ages 8-12
ISBN 9780375869020 | Knopf Books for Young Readers

August Pullman was born with a facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face. Wonder, now a #1 New York Times bestseller and included on the Texas Bluebonnet Award master list, begins from Auggie’s point of view, but soon switches to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others. These perspectives converge in a portrait of one community’s struggle with empathy, compassion, and acceptance.

All Ages

Guess How Much I Love You
By Sam McBratney
Illustrated by Anita Jeram
40 Pages | All Ages
ISBN 9780763674489 | Candlewick

Sometimes, when you love someone very, very much, you want to find a way of describing how much you treasure themBut, as Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare discover, love is not an easy thing to measure! For two decades, Sam McBratney’s timelessly endearing story, beautifully rendered in Anita Jeram’s exquisite watercolors, has captured the deep and tender bond between parent and child. Guess How Much I Love You is one of the world’s best-loved picture books.

You Are My Mother: Inspired by P.D. Eastman’s Are You My Mother?
By P.D. Eastman
32 Pages | All Ages
ISBN 9780593121184 | Random House Books for Young Readers

What do you give the mother who introduced you to P. D. Eastman’s Are You My Mother? Why, P. D. Eastman’s You Are My Mother, of course—a small hardcover gift book of unrhymed observations about the ways our mothers make us the people we are today! Featuring slightly color-enhanced artwork from Are You My Mother?, the observations (delivered by the baby bird star of the book) are charming, funny, and sure to rekindle cherished memories of reading together. An ideal gift for Mother’s Day, birthdays, or any day you just want to say thanks to Mom and tell her you love her!

Need more inspiration? Check out Indigo’s Mother Day shop for more great gifts for Mom!

Hoppy Easter Reading!

THE EASTER SHOP
Here are our recommendations for those celebrating Easter from ages 9-12!

A Grumpy Easter
By Frank Berrios
Illustrated by Patrick Spaziante
ISBN 9780593122648 | Random House Children’s Book

A full-color Easter storybook featuring cards, stickers, and everyone’s favorite feline: Grumpy Cat! Chocolate bunnies? Meh. Easter baskets? No way. Grumpy Cat is not excited about Easter in this storybook featuring all-new, full-color art, plus cards and over 30 stickers!

Aggie Morton, Mystery Queen: The Body under the Piano
By Marthe Jocelyn
Illustrated by Isabelle Follath
ISBN 9780735265462 | Tundra Books

Aggie Morton lives in a small town on the coast of England in 1902. Adventurous and imaginative but deeply shy, Aggie hasn’t got much to do since the death of her beloved father . . . until the fateful day when she crosses paths with twelve-year-old Belgian immigrant Hector Perot and discovers a dead body on the floor of the Mermaid Dance Room! As the number of suspects grows and the murder threatens to tear the town apart, Aggie and her new friend will need every tool at their disposal — including their insatiable curiosity, deductive skills and not a little help from their friends — to solve the case before Aggie’s beloved dance instructor is charged with a crime Aggie is sure she didn’t commit.

Archie: Modern Classics Vol. 2
By Archie Superstars
ISBN 9781645769675 | Archie Comics

This is Archie’s new sister series to our all-time best-selling graphic novel series, featuring a focus on the latest and greatest stories from the previous year of digests. After 75+ years of humorous tales, the Riverdale gang are still going strong! Archie is proud to present the best stories from 2019 – collected for the first time ever. Don’t miss these modern classics!

 

Easter Eggstravaganza Mad Libs
By Mad Libs
ISBN 9781524790677 | Penguin Young Readers Group

Get ready, the Easter NOUN is coming to town! These 21 Easter-themed stories are now available in a large, gifty version perfect for baskets. The larger trim is the perfect size for Easter baskets and also makes writing, playing, and sharing with friends a real (Easter) treat! It even includes a sheet of themed stickers.

 

Hilo Book 6: All the Pieces Fit
By Judd Winick
ISBN 9780525644064 | Random House Children’s Book

Being a hero isn’t easy. But Hilo had no idea it would be this hard. Hilo came to earth because he was running from Razorwark. But he’s done running. Razorwark has come to earth. And the time has come for one final face to face showdown. What happens will decide the fate of the robot world . . . and Hilo’s future. The sacrifice will be great. But with Izzy’s help, Hilo finally knows what he has to do. Because THIS is how all the pieces fit.

 

Middle School Bites
By Steven Banks
Illustrated by Mark Fearing
ISBN 9780823445431 | Holiday House

Thanks to a series of unfortunate bites, eleven-year-old Tom is a triple threat: he’s a Vam-Wolf-Zom. And just in time for the first day of middle school. So much for his Invisible Tom Plan. He never thought to make a What If I Turn Into A Vampire Werewolf Zombie Plan. Maybe it’s time for a Run Away and Live Somewhere Else Plan? With the help of his irrepressible best friend, Zeke, Tom tries to accept his future. Zeke thinks being a Vam-Wolf-Zom sounds EXCELLENT! (Zeke thinks everything sounds EXCELLENT!) At least he’ll be able to stand up to the sixth-grade bully. The question is will the rest of Hamilton Middle School accept the Vam-Wolf-Zom, too?

Middle School’s a Drag, You Better Werk!
By Greg Howard
ISBN 9780525517528 | Penguin Young Readers Group

Twelve-year-old Mikey Pruitt–president, founder, and CEO of Anything, Inc.–has always been an entrepreneur at heart. It isn’t until kid drag queen Coco Caliente, Mistress of Madness and Mayhem (aka eighth grader Julian Vasquez) walks into his office (aka his family’s storage/laundry room) looking for an agent that Mikey thinks he’s finally found his million-dollar idea, and the Anything Talent and Pizzazz Agency is born! Soon, Mikey has a whole roster of kid clients looking to hit it big or at least win the middle school talent show’s hundred-dollar prize. As newly out Mikey prepares Julian for the gig of a lifetime, he realizes there’s no rulebook for being gay–and if Julian can be openly gay at school, maybe Mikey can, too, and tell his crush, dreamy Colton Sanford, how he feels.

Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet
By Zanib Mian
Illustrated by Nasaya Mafaridik
ISBN 9780593109212 | Penguin Young Readers Group

Welcome to the imaginative brain of Omar! Omar and his family have just moved, and he is NOT excited about starting at a new school. What if the work is too hard or the kids are mean or the teacher is a zombie alien?! But when Omar makes a new best friend, things start looking up. That is, until a Big Mean Bully named Daniel makes every day a nightmare! Daniel even tells Omar that all Muslims are going to be kicked out of the country . . . Could that possibly be true? Luckily, Omar’s enormous imagination and goofy family help him get through life’s ups and downs.

The Legend of Korra: Ruins of the Empire Part Three
By Michael Dante DiMartino
Illustrated by Michelle Wong and Killian Ng
ISBN 9781506708966 | Dark Horse Books

Thanks to Commander Guan and Doctor Sheng’s brainwashing technology, all hope for a fair election in the Earth Kingdom is lost. Korra works with Toph, Su, and Kuvira to plan a means to rescue not just the brainwashed Mako, Bolin, and Asami, but everyone else caught up in Guan’s plan! With the Earth Empire potentially on the rise again, Kuvira pulls another trick from her sleeve . . . but whose side is she truly on?

Find these books at your favorite local book store or at Indigo’s Easter Shop.

A List of Easter-iffic Books

THE EASTER SHOP
Here are our recommendations for those celebrating Easter from ages 6-8!

DreamWorks Trolls World Tour: One Big Party!
By Elle Stephens
ISBN 9780593122440 | Random House Children’s Books

In the beginning, it’s all glitter and happiness in Troll Village until Queen Poppy and Branch make a surprising discovery–there are other Troll worlds beyond their own, each defined by a different genre of music! When a mysterious threat puts all the Trolls across the land in danger, Poppy, Branch, and their band of friends must embark on an epic quest do the impossible: create harmony among the diverse Trolls to unite them against certain doom.

Elbow Grease: Get Out and Play
By John Cena
Illustrated by Dave Aikins
ISBN 9780525577584 | Random House Children’s Book

A fun-filled leveled reader from multi-talented mega celebrity John Cena! Elbow Grease loves to race, splash and play with his four monster truck brothers: Tank, Flash, Pinball and Crash! The brothers enjoy a play day in this Step 1 reader based on John Cena’s Elbow Grease picture book series!

 

Elbow Grease: My Monster Truck Family
By John Cena
Illustrated by Dave Aikins
ISBN 9780525577553 | Random House Children’s Book

A fun and fast-paced leveled reader from multitalented mega celebrity John Cena! Elbow Grease has four big brothers–each one special and unique in his own way. Meet tough Tank, fast Flash, smart Pinball, brave Crash, and of course Elbow Grease, who never gives up, in this Step 1 reader based on John Cena’s Elbow Grease picture book series!

God Gave Us Easter
By Lisa Tawn Bergren
Illustrated by Laura J. Bryant
ISBN 9780307730725 | WaterBrook

In this new addition to a popular line of illustrated books for readers aged three and up, God Gave Us Easter features the adorable polar bear Little Cub, talking with her father and learning about God’s design for the Easter season and what it really means to Little Cub and her family.

Happy Easter, Little Critter
By Mercer Mayer
ISBN 9780307117236 | Random House Children’s Book

Mercer Mayer’s Little Critter is celebrating Easter in this classic, funny, and heartwarming book. Whether he’s dyeing eggs, searching for baskets, or snacking on sweets, both parents and children alike will relate to this beloved story. A perfect way to celebrate the Easter holiday!

Minecraft Woodsword Chronicles: Ghast in the Machine! 
By Nick Eliopulos
Illustrated by Alan Batson
ISBN 9781984850621 | Random House Children’s Book

The adventures continue in the fourth Minecraft chapter book based on one of the most popular video games of all time. Jodi, Ash, Morgan and their fellow Minecraft players go out into the real world to find clues to the identity of the mysterious and sinister Evoker King. Not only do they need to find out who–or what–he is, but they need to know if it’s really possible for him to escape the game! Because if he can, that could spell big trouble both in the game and out!

Mulan
By Mary Tillworth
ISBN 9780736440530 | Random House Children’s Book

Join Mulan and her friends Mushu, Cri-Kee, and more as they set out to save Mulan’s father and the Chinese empire from an enemy invasion. This Step 2 deluxe Step into Reading leveled reader is based on the classic Disney Princess film Mulan. Step 2 readers use basic vocabulary and short sentences to tell simple stories. For children who recognize familiar words and can sound out new words with help.

Narwhal’s Otter Friend: A Narwhal and Jelly Book
By Ben Clanton
ISBN 9780735262492 | Tundra Books

Dive into three new stories about the joy of adventure and the power of friendship! In the first story, Otty the otter makes her debut splash; while Narwhal greets her with immediate enthusiasm, Jelly’s not so sure about her . . . mostly because he worries she’ll take his place as Narwhal’s best friend. Readers will easily see why Narwhal’s so excited to meet Otty, a boisterous explorer who even has a snail friend who’s a real live sea captain! But readers will also relate to Jelly’s uneasiness seeing his best friend making a new pal.

Onward: A Day with Dad
ISBN 9780736440516 | Random House Children’s Book

Kids will love this Step 3 Step into Reading leveled reader based on Disney/Pixar Onward-with more than 30 sparkling stickers! Step 3 readers feature engaging characters in easy-to-follow plots about popular topics. For children who are ready to read on their own.

Onward: Oh, Brother!
ISBN 9780736439497 | Random House Children’s Books

Kids will love this Step 2 Step into Reading leveled reader- based on Disney Disney/Pixar Onward–with more than 30 stickers! Step 2 readers use basic vocabulary and short sentences to tell simple stories. For children who recognize familiar words and can sound out new words with help.

Onward: The Deluxe Junior Novelization
By Suzanne Francis
ISBN 9780736440509 | Random House Children’s Books

Set in a suburban fantasy world, Disney/Pixar’s Onward introduces two teenage elf brothers who embark on an extraordinary quest to discover if there is still a little magic left out there. The voice cast includes Chris Pratt (Guardians of the Galaxy), Tom Holland (Spider-Man: Homecoming), Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Veep), and Octavia Spencer (The Shape of Water). Hardcover deluxe edition.

Onward: The Junior Novelization
By Suzanne Francis
ISBN 9780736439657 | Random House Children’s Book

Set in a suburban fantasy world, Disney/Pixar’s Onward introduces two teenage elf brothers who embark on an extraordinary quest to discover if there is still a little magic left out there. The voice cast includes Chris Pratt (Guardians of the Galaxy), Tom Holland (Spider-Man: Homecoming), Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Veep), and Octavia Spencer (The Shape of Water).

PAW Patrol: Mighty Twins
By Tex Huntley
ISBN 9780593121344 | Random House Children’s Book

Adventure Bay is in trouble and it’s up Chase, Marshall, and the rest of Nickelodeon’s PAW Patrol to save the day! This time they get a little help from two new Mighty Pups. Step 1 readers feature big type and easy words. Rhymes and rhythmic text paired with picture clues help children decode the story. For children who know the alphabet and are eager to begin reading.

Paw Patrol: The Pups Save the Bunnies
Illustrated by Mike Jackson
ISBN 9781101931684 | Random House Children’s Books

There are lots of creatures in the woods. Where are they hiding and what are they doing? In this innovative lift-the-flap book, little ones can pore over the beautiful collaged pages and explore under rocks and logs to learn lots of interesting facts about the forest. This is a perfect introduction to the outdoors.

Plants vs. Zombies Volume 15: Better Homes and Guardens
By Paul Tobin
Illustrated by Christian Gillenardo-Goudreau
ISBN 9781506713052 | Dark Horse Books

Plant pals Nate and Patrice suggest a brilliant idea: thwart any attack from the zombies by putting defending plants named “Guard-ens” inside homes, as well as in yards! But as soon as Mr. Stubbins informs zombie leader and Pop Smarts lover Dr. Zomboss, he quickly becomes obsessed with circumventing this idea with an epically evil one of his own–building cages disguised as homes to trap all the tasty brains (and the people they reside within) before the Guard-ens can get there. The plants, Nate, Patrice, and Crazy Dave must now counter Dr. Zomboss’s havoc-filled scheme!

The Princess in Black and the Bathtime Battle
By Shannon and Dean Hale
Illustrated by LeUyen Pham
ISBN 9781536202212 | Candlewick Press

The Princess in Black is in a very stinky situation. A foul cloud is plaguing the goat pasture, and it smells worse than a pile of dirty diapers or a trash can on a hot summer day. But every time the Princess in Black and her friend the Goat Avenger manage to get rid of the odor, they accidentally blow it to another kingdom! Other masked heroes and their trusty companions show up to help, but how do you battle a stench when your ninja moves fail? Fans with a nose for slapstick will be tickled to see the six stalwart friends join their wits to take on an impossibly beastly stink.

Find these books at your favorite local book store or at Indigo’s Easter Shop.

Eggs-cellent Easter Reads

THE EASTER SHOP
Here are our recommendations for those celebrating Easter from ages 3-5!

Dot Unplugged
ISBN 9781536209839 | Candlewick Press

It’s pouring rain, and the power’s gone out at Dot’s house. Should they take it as a challenge to honor the National Day of Unplugging? Playing outside is out of the question, and so is using the many devices Dot is accustomed to. But what might the basement hold? Dot, her friend Hal, Mom, Dad, and Scratch find lots of exciting stuff, including an old spinner game. It turns out it’s super fun to watch Dad do charades, Mom speed-sculpt from clay, Hal tweet-sing a song, and Dot hunt for something surprising. Their improvised game keeps them so entertained, they just might decide to stay unplugged a bit longer!

Dream Big, Little Scientists
By Michelle Schaub
Illustrated by Alice Potter
ISBN 9781580899345 | Charlesbridge

Twelve kids. A dozen bedtimes. Endless sweet ways to say goodnight with science! Spark curiosity and exploration with this innovative bedtime story for budding scientists that introduces eleven branches of science. From astronomy to physics to chemistry to geology, this STEM picture book will help kids get excited to explore. Includes further information about each branch of science.

Emergency Kittens!
By Jody Jensen Shaffer; iilustrated by Dave Mottram
ISBN 9781984830081 | Random House Children’s Books

Meet the Emergency Kittens, a trio of furry, gentle superheroes who come to the rescue with their incredible cuteness when the going gets tough. When bullies steal Sheldon’s ball in the playground, a pack of your usual, everyday, human caped crusaders leaps to the rescue. But when their showy feats of strength and agility fail to impress, some real heroes step in to save the day: EMERGENCY KITTENS!!! With their unending cuteness and unforgivably adorable purrs, this mighty trio of fluffy goodness turns any sticky situation into one of pure cuddles.

Lilah Tov Good Night
By Ben Gundersheimer
Illustrated by Noar Lee Naggan
ISBN 9781524740665 | Penguin Young Readers Group

As the moon rises, a family steps into the night on a journey toward a new beginning. Along the way, their little girl delights in the wonders of nature, saying good night–lilah tov–to the creatures and landscapes they pass. Wherever she looks–on land, in the sky above and even, eventually, in the water below her boat–there are marvels to behold. “Lilah tov to the birds in the trees, lilah tov to the fish in the sea.” Then, when their travels are finally over, her parents tuck her in tight, safe and ready for dreams in their new home.

Llama Llama Very Busy Springtime
By Anna Dewdney
ISBN 9780593094198 | Penguin Young Readers Group

Look out, world–Llama Llama is a TV star! The beloved character, made famous by Anna Dewdney’s best-selling picture books, is the star of his own original series, now airing on Netflix. In this episode-based 8×8, Llama Llama plans a bit too much for one day, but comes up with a solution and learns important lessons along the way. Your little llamas will love relating to their favorite picture book character as he faces new and challenging situations.

Sharon, Lois and Bram’s Skinnamarink
By Sharon Hampson, Lois Lilienstein and Bram Morrison, with contributions by Randi Hampson
Illustrated by Qin Leng
ISBN 9780735264069 | Tundra Books

What does “skinnamarink” mean? You may not find its definition in a dictionary, but the meaning is clear to the generations of children who sang along: friendship, happiness, sharing, community and, ultimately, love. This song has been sung in weddings and in classrooms. It can be fun and silly – especially with the accompanying actions! And it has a way of bringing people together.

Teddy Bear of the Year
By Vikki VanSickle
Illustrated by Sydney Hanson
ISBN 9780735263925 | Tundra Books

Ollie is a regular bear with a regular job. He listens to his girl’s stories about her days, he snuggles her to sleep and he is there waiting when she gets home from school. Just your typical teddy bear stuff. So when he is whisked away to the annual teddy bears’ picnic, he feels insignificant compared to the other bears who do daring and daunting things: sleepovers, hospital stays–even a night in the lost and found! Ollie feels even more small and unimportant but he soon learns that it’s not just the big things that matter, it’s the little things too.

The Bear Must Go On
By Dev Petty
Illustrated by Brandon Todd
ISBN 9781984837479 | Penguin Young Readers Group

Bear and his woodland friends are putting on a show, and there are lots of plans to be made. Their curtains need sequins! Their hats must be very, very tall! And their tickets have to be shiny! (No one will come if the tickets are dull.) Behind the scenes, shy Bear takes notes on every detail until his paws ache. But at least he won’t have to go on stage. He could NEVER do that! . . . Or could he?

The Bug Girl
By Sophia Spencer and Margaret McNamara
Illustrated by KERASCOET
ISBN 9780735267527 | Tundra Books

Sophia Spencer has loved bugs ever since a butterfly landed on her shoulder–and wouldn’t leave!–at a butterfly conservancy when she was only two-and-a-half years old. In preschool and kindergarten, Sophia was thrilled to share what she knew about grasshoppers (her very favorite insects), as well as ants and fireflies . . . but by first grade, not everyone shared her enthusiasm. Some students bullied her, and Sophia stopped talking about bugs altogether. When Sophia’s mother wrote to an entomological society looking for a bug scientist to be a pen pal for her daughter, she and Sophie were overwhelmed by the enthusiastic response–letters, photos and videos came flooding in. Using the hashtag BugsR4Girls, scientists tweeted hundreds of times to tell Sophia to keep up her interest in bugs–and it worked!

The Button Book
By Sally Nicholls
Illustrated by Bethan Woollvin
ISBN 9780735267152 | Tundra Books

From a blue singing button to a purple tickle button, from a rude sound button to a mysterious white button, there’s only one way to find out what they do: press them all! And thankfully, there’s even a sleeping button to lull the animals to sleep after a busy day. A lively introduction to colors and shapes, The Button Book is the perfect interactive book for storytime (and bedtime!).

The Imaginaries: Little Scraps of Larger Stories
By Emily Winfield Martin
ISBN 9780553511031 | Random House Children’s Books

From mermaids and giant flowers to magical robes and mysterious characters, this full-color collection of old and new art from Emily Winfield Martin will inspire the artist and writer in you! Each glorious image is given a mysterious or magical one-line caption–the beginning of a story, or maybe the middle–you imagine the rest.

 

The Serious Goose
By Jimmy Kimmel
ISBN 9780525707752 | Random House Children’s Books

Written, illustrated, and lettered by Jimmy Kimmel, this picture book challenges young readers to bring the silly out of a very Serious Goose. Inspired by Jimmy’s nickname for his kids, The Serious Goose reminds us to be silly in a serious way. Put your little comedians in front of a mylar mirror and challenge them to make this no-nonsense goose smile. This delightful read-aloud is guaranteed to create gaggles of giggles time and time again!

Vote for Our Future!
By Margaret McNamara
Illustrated by Micah Player
ISBN 9781984892805 | Random House Children’s Books

Every two years, on the first Tuesday of November, Stanton Elementary School closes for the day. For vacation? Nope! For repairs? No way! Stanton Elementary School closes so that it can transform itself into a polling station. People can come from all over to vote for the people who will make laws for the country. Sure, the Stanton Elementary School students might be too young to vote themselves, but that doesn’t mean they can’t encourage their parents, friends, and family to vote! After all, voting is how this country sees change–and by voting today, we can inspire tomorrow’s voters to change the future.

What’s Up, Maloo?
By Genevieve Godbout
ISBN 9780735266643 | Tundra Books

No other kangeroo can hop like Maloo! But one day Maloo’s friends find him stepping instead of hopping. What’s wrong, Maloo? His pals look for ways to help Maloo regain the spring in his step. With patience, support and a little “hop” from his friends, Maloo gets his bounce back.

Find these books at your favorite local book store or at Indigo’s Easter Shop.