Books
Illustration by Frann Preston-Gannon
“On your mark…get set…zoom! Rev up reading skills with this tale of competition and cooperation.” -Kirkus, May, 2024
Zoom! Zoom!
May, 2024
Ready-to-Read, Simon Spotlight
Zoom, zoom! The cars want to race! Who will win first place? Perfect for kids at the beginning of their reading journeys, this book was written for children who have learned the alphabet and are ready to start reading! And what better way to get kids excited than with a hilarious story with words they can read on their own?
“The combination of clear, concrete examples, reader interaction, and humor works well.” -Kirkus, December, 2023
Hands-on-science
motion
February, 2024
Charlesbridge
In your hands you hold your very own physics lab. Here you can explore forces and how they make things move. What will happen next?
Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection Award
“Schaefer’s exploration follows a clear narrative arc, beginning and ending with our familiar Earth. She moves smoothly from topic to topic, describing Earth’s layers, offering examples of the three major types of rocks, and discussing the uses of rocks and the metals we extract from them This leads to the building of rockets to explore other rocks in space. Returning to Earth, readers are asked to notice the rocks, minerals, and metals all around - and even inside their bodies. Crack this one open with young science experimenters.” - Kirkus, October, 2023
hands-on-science
geology
October, 2023
Charlesbridge
In your hands you hold your very own geology lab. You can slide tectonic plates to cause an earthquake, press your hands in mud to make a fossil, and blow on magma to make a volcano erupt. What will happen next?
An experienced writer of science books for young readers invites her audience to explore matter in a chemistry lab. She focuses on two concepts: mass and three of the states of matter—solid, liquid, and gas. These are intriguingly presented in a manner reminiscent of Hervé Tullet’s Press Here (2011). Readers are invited to tilt, jiggle, and tap on the book to see how matter can change shape or form without changing mass.
A simple and clear interactive scientific exploration. —Kirkus Reviews, June, 2023
HANDS-ON-SCIENCE
MATTER
July 2023
Charlesbridge
In your hands you hold your very own chemistry lab. Here you can explore matter - solids, liquids, and gasses. What will happen?
Junior Library Guild selection
“Rhyming text and colorful illustrations explore different types of light as well as its various scientific properties. Familiar light sources—sun, flashlights, fireworks—are paired with more unusual ones, such as bioluminescent sea creatures and the aurora borealis, to demonstrate the range found in the world. . . . The book’s greatest strengths are in the questions it will prompt.” — School Library Journal April, 2023
Spark, Shine, Glow! What a Light Show
May 2023
Greenwillow Books, HarperCollinsPublishers
Did you know that light is a wave of energy? In this book, what will you discover about light? What will you discover with light?
Lift, Mix, Fling!
Machines Can Do Anything
March 2022
Greenwillow Books, HarperCollinsPublishers
Machines are everywhere. They are the spoons that scoop and the trucks that dump. They are pulleys and ramps and even a giant rocket ship flying through outer space. How many simple and compound machines can you find?
This clever physics primer engages with the premise that big trucks don’t have a monopoly on the word machine. As Schaefer’s economic, rhyming text explains the difference between simple machines (which have “one or two parts”) and their compound counterparts, vignettes by Yang show a highly stylized cast of figures with various skin tones in roles ranging from farmers to construction workers to chefs. - Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
“Cutesy and high-energy and featuring simple illustrations with bright colors and lots of stars and hearts in the background, this story of one friend encouraging another is more sugar than substance, though it’s just the thing for those new to the format.” -- Kirkus Reviews ― August, 2022
“A beginning-reader comics series with frosting and cherries on top.” -Horn book, Jan/Feb, 2023
Sprinkles and Swirls: Oh, What a Show!
September 2022
Ready to Read Graphics, Simon & Schuster
Sprinkles and Swirls are leaping into more fun! They are going to perform at the talent show. But what should they do? Join them as they discover their many talents in this sweet story!
Sprinkles and Swirls
A Cool Day at the Pool
May 2022
Ready to Read Graphics, Simon & Schuster
Sprinkles and Swirls are ready to dive into their second sweet adventure! They cannot wait to visit the new pool and water park. Join them as they splash and slide into waves of fun!
sprinkles and swirls
a fun day at fun park
December 2021
Ready to Read Graphics, Simon & Schuster
Sprinkles and Swirls are two little cupcakes who go on big adventures. Join them as they ZIP, ZOOM, BUMP, FLY, and have tons of sweet fun!
“A lyrical testament to peace.”
Kirkus
“Because it is suitable for readers of different faiths or even as a plea for peace, this is a perfect choice for all holiday collections.”
-School Library Journal
“A quiet and….peaceful text delivers a message of unity and reverence for our world.”
Horn Book Magazine
“The spatters of snow, celebratory evergreen, shining star, and splashes of red all echo Christmas traditions, but the tale is focused instead on an optimistic secular message, making this a gently meaningful seasonal read.”
Bulletin for the Center of Children’s Books
The Bear and the Star
September 2019
Greenwillow Books, HarperCollinsPublishers
In this universal story, Bear gathers his friends, both feathered and furry, old and young, for a celebration of community and love.
“Irresistible…sure to enthrall animal lovers.” - Booklist
Hidden Dangers
August 2017
Chronicle Books
These thirteen DEADLY CREATURES can be difficult to spot until you’re right on top of them…or they’re right on top of YOU! Look for each animal in its environment - AND LOOK CLOSELY! - and learn all the ways you could perish or survive - depending on how smart, well-informed, and good at running away you are.
“For the youngest readers and listeners, this is a simple but attractive introduction to nature’s life cycles.”
– School Library Journal
Because of An Acorn
August 2016
Chronicle Books
Enchanting illustrations show the vital connections between the layers of an ecosystem in this magical book. Wander down the forest path to learn how every tree, flower, plant, and animal connect to one another in spiraling circles of life. An acorn is just the beginning.
2016 Junior Library Guild Selection
“In this sequel to their excellent new-baby story, One Special Day (2012), Schaefer and Meserve depict a growing sibling bond between big brother Spencer and little sister Mia.” - Kirkus, Starred Review
One Busy Day
March 2014
Hyperion Books
All Mia wants is for her big brother, Spencer, to play with her. But he’s always too busy. With a little imagination and a lot of love, Mia might just be able to show Spencer that it’s a lot more fun to be busy together.
Bank Street Center for Children’s Literature Best Children’s Books of 2015
2014-2015 Great Lakes Great Books Reading List
A 2014 International Reading Association Teacher’s Choice Book
“Concepts of counting and quantity are cleverly examined.” – The Horn Book
“As intriguing as it is gorgeous.” –Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
Lifetime
September 2013
Chronicle Books
In one lifetime, a caribou will shed 10 sets of antlers, a woodpecker will drill 30 roosting holes, a giraffe will wear 200 spots, a seahorse will birth 1,000 babies. Count each one and many more while learning about the wondrous things that can happen in just one animal’s lifetime.
2014 Junior Library Guild Selection
An Orbis Pictus Award Recommended Book for 2014
An Outstanding Science Trade Book by NSTA/CBC 2014
Bank Street College 2014 Best Books of the Year
2014 Baker’s Dozen 13 Best Books for Family Literacy
“With a simple interactive text and thoroughly engaging illustrations, this book is a perfect blending of words and pictures.” “A special book for the special day.” - School Library Journal, Starred Review
“One would be right to question whether it’s possible to create a wholly original new-baby picture book, but Schaefer’s device of making the title part animal story, part sibling tale is a winning one..” –Kirkus
One Special Day
March 2012
Hyperion Books
Does having a new sister or brother make you into MORE than you already are? Spencer is about to find out.
ALA 2013 Notable Children’s Book
2013 Bank Street College of Education Best Children’s Books of the Year
“Children are certain to find amusement in this charming story, which also subtly teaches them the importance of individuality.” –School Library Journal
Frankie Stein
January 2007
Marshall Cavendish/Amazon
Frankie Stein comes into the world on a bright, sunny day. He’s not at all like his parents. They’re scary looking. He’s cute. They try to make him look like them. They can’t. But he does end up being scary in his own way!
Children’s Choice Book Award (L-2), 2008
Mockingbird Award, 2009
“This appealing work can be used as a read-aloud, a beginning reader, or a basic science book.” –School Library Journal
“As economical and vivid as the verse, Felstead’s artwork will enable children to visualize the island in each stage of development.” -Booklist
An Island Grows
January 2006
Greenwillow Books, HarperCollinsPublishers
This is the story of the birth of an island, from the first red-hot glow of magma at the bottom of the ocean, to the flowing lava that hardens and builds up higher and higher until, finally, it breaks through the water′s surface. And then, life, in all forms, comes to the island. This is a tale as old-and as new-as the ground we walk on.
Charlotte Zolotow Award Honor Book
2006 Junior Library Guild Selection
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The satisfying story of an adorable kitten’s search for security and his discovery of a new friend is perfect for children who, like Mittens, are ready to take their first steps on a new journey: reading.
All six MITTENS titles were published by My First I Can Read, HarperCollinsPublishers. They are all available in print and audio and, thankfully, entertaining young readers every day. Altogether there are more than ONE MILLION copies of these books in print and that number is still growing!
“Based on a true story and told in unemotional prose illustrated with beautiful, airy acrylic paintings, this will instill appreciation for the beauty of birds of prey and their role in nature.” ―Kirkus, Starred Review
“Throughout the illustrations, as in the text, Hawk’s wild and defiant persona dominates, neither softened nor anthropomorphized. The result is a tale of courage and compassion, made compelling by its narrow focus.” ―Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Arrowhawk
(only available in paperback)
January 2004
Henry Holt and Company
The story of an injured red-tailed hawk’s survival and freedom.
2006-2007 Young Hoosier Book Award for Picture Book
Recipient of the 2007 Nevada Young Reader Award for the Picture Book Category
2007 Missouri’s Show Me Readers Award
2005 Zena Sutherland Awards for Best Text, Best Illustration and Best Overall Picture Book
Winner of the 2006 Washington Children’s Choice Picture Book Award
2005 Outstanding Science Trade Book for Students K-12
Listed on The Best Children’s Books of the Year 2005 by the Children’s Book Committee at Bank Street College of Education
Cooperative Children’s Book Center Choices 2005 from the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison
“The rhyming text is simple but clever, told in very short sentences with repeating sentence patterns and a catchy refrain.” –Kirkus
Loose Tooth
January 2004
I Can Read! Book, HarperCollinsPublishers
A young boy wakes up one morning to find that he has his very first loose tooth. But no matter how much he pushes, pulls, and wiggles it, it just won’t come out.
2007 Garden State Children’s Book Award for Easy Reader
A 2004 Junior Library Guild Selection
On The Texas Library Association’s 2 X 2 Reading List for 2004
2004 Notable Children’s Books in the English Language Arts by the Children’s Literature Assembly
Parent’s Guide to Children’s Media Honor
“Youngsters will want to rush out, buy some packets of seeds, and get their hands dirty.” – School Library Journal
“ . . . the simple, appealing text shows the basic progression of flower to fruit, and George’s inviting, realistic color art brings youngsters up close to plants that produce familiar foods.” – Booklist
Pick Pull, Snap! Where Once a Flower Bloomed
October 2003
Greenwillow Books, HarperCollinsPublishers
In the orchard
a honey bee buzzes.
Its legs brush pollen
inside a fragrant
pink flower:
A small green fruit
begins to grow
and grow and grow....
Peaches and peas
and even peanuts --
they all begin with
a single flower:
How?
Open this book
and find out!
Nominated for The Keystone to Reading Book Award 2003
One of the Best Children’s Books of the Year 2003 by the Children’s Book Committee at the Bank Street College of Education
On The Texas Library Association 2 X 2 Reading List for 2003
“Schaefer and Wattenberg have created the essential water-cycle title for younger children, imparting solid scientific information (we’ll forgive the underwater dinosaurs) with memorable text and stunning art.” –Kirkus
This Is the Rain
January 2002
Greenwillow Books, HarperCollinsPublishers
You swim in it.
You take a bath in its,
You brush your
teeth with it.
You splash it.
You drink it.
You flush the
toilet with it.
It is 65% of you.
Water,
Where does it
come from?
Where does it go?
“May be enjoyed as a poem or as a springboard for nature study.” –Kirkus
“This is perfect for story hours; also recommend it to budding ornithologists, who will appreciate the illustrated key identifying the birds pictured in the text.” –Booklist
This Is the Sunflower
January 2000
Greenwillow Books, HarperCollinsPublishers
First there is a sunflower.
Seasons pass…and soon there is a patch of sunflowers.
One of the Best Children’s Books of the Year 2000 by the Children’s Book Committee at the Bank Street College of Education
Parent’s Guide to Children’s Media Award, 2000