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Check it Out December 2025 New and notable items from the Children's Department Highlights of new and exciting titles for caregivers, educators and children birth-twelve. |
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Lena the Chicken (But Really a Dinosaur!) by Linda BaileyLena lives in a chicken coop, and she looks a lot like a chicken. But deep down, she's convinced that she's a--DINOSAUR! She can feel it in her bones. Lena just doesn't understand the scaredy chickens in her family, and they don't understand her either, with her ferociousness and big ideas. The people on the farm are also baffled, except for little Madeline, who thinks Lena has personality. And then, when a dastardly weasel turns up and threatens the coop, Lena's fearful family chickens out again. It's up to Lena to unleash her inner dinosaur like never before--to save the coop and show this silly bunch of chickens how to stand up for themselves.
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Pete the Cat's Cool New Ride by James DeanPete the Cat just got some new wheels. Beep, beep, beep! And as he's grooving down the street, he bumps into one friend, two friends, three! When they pile up in the car, Pete can't keep count and wonders if there is room for everyone. In his fifteenth hardcover picture book, Pete the Cat learns that there's always more room for friends.
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I'm Very Busy: A (Nearly Forgotten) Birthday Book by Oliver JeffersIt's Bridget's birthday, and she thinks it would be fun to spend the day with friends. But Royal has places to go, Rodney has to see a man about a dog, Regis has to wash his hair, and Pearl has a list of items she needs to cross off as quickly as she can. Bridget's friends are all too busy to hang out! Will Bridget have to spend her birthday all alone?
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The Humble Pie by Jory JohnThe Humble Pie likes to give others the spotlight. Aw, shucks!--they deserve it! But when he's paired with his best friend, Jake the Cake, for a school project, he soon realizes that staying in the shadows isn't always as sweet as pie. Readers of all ages will laugh along as their new pie pal discovers that letting your voice be heard always takes the cake!
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Never Give a Baby a Library Cardby Erin SandbergBabies are warned not to be given library cards, as the endless knowledge they could gain--like cooking, sewing, driving, or running businesses--could lead to uncontrollable chaos.
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Fiction and Graphic Novels
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Pocket Bear by Katherine Applegate
| Thimble-born from tip to toe, Pocket Bear remembers every moment of his becoming: the glimmering needle, the silken thread, the tender hands as each careful stitch brought him closer to himself. Born during the throes of WWI, he was designed to fit into the pocket of a soldier’s jacket, eyes sewn a bit higher than normal so that he always gazed upward. That way, glancing at his pocket, a soldier would see an endearing token of love from someone back home, and, hopefully, a good luck charm. Now, over a century later, Pocket serves as unofficial mayor of Second Chances Home for the Tossed and Treasured, where stuffed toy animals are refurbished and given a fresh opportunity to be loved. He and his best feline friend Zephyrina, known far and wide as “The Cat Burglar,” have seen it all, and then some. An unforgettable tale of bravery, loyalty, and kindness, Pocket reminds us all that love comes in many forms (sometimes filled with fluff), and that second chances are always possible. |
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Lost Evangelineby Kate DiCamilloWhen a shoemaker discovers a tiny girl (as small as a mouse!) in his shop, he takes her in, names her Evangeline, and raises her as his own. The shoemaker's wife, however, fears that Evangeline has bewitched her husband, so when an opportunity arises to rid herself of the girl, she takes it. Evangeline finds herself far from her adopted father and her home, a tiny girl lost in the wide world. But she is brave, and she is resourceful, and with the help of those she meets on her journey--including a disdainful and self-satisfied cat--she may just find her way again.
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Chris Makes a Friend by Alex GinoFrom the award-winning author of MELISSA, a sweet and tart story about unexpected friendship and family reconciliation.THIS IS NOT THE SUMMER CHRIS HAD PLANNED...Chris does not want to be spending the summer with her grandparents and her little sister. Her grandparents aren't bad -- they just don't let Chris do what she wants to do, which is sit around and read all day. And her sister, Becca, is the opposite, never sitting still and never being quiet.The good part is that Chris's grandparents are always telling her to go outside and get some air -- so she can escape into the woods with a book and get some alone time. Or at least it's alone time until Mia comes along. Mia is also in town for the summer, and she understands Chris in a way that Chris's family just can't. Soon Chris is sneaking off to spend as much time with her friend as possible. But is there more to Mia than Mia is saying?
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Diary of a Nature Nerd: A Graphic Novel by Tiffany EverettNine-year-old Brooke is a nomad, traveling from National Park to National Park with her botanist mom, and she documents her adventures in her nature diary. But this trip is different! Brooke's mom just married Terrence, who happens to be the father of Brooke's best friend, Jayla, which means Brooke and Jayla are BFFs turned sisters! While camping at North Cascades National Park, Brooke has her heart set on seeing a moose -- the #1 animal she's been longing to see. But when Brooke learns that Jayla, a nomad newbie, spots a moose on her first-ever camping trip, Brooke will do whatever it takes to track down that moose and spot it herself!
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Dragon vs. Unicorn: Friends or Frenemies? by P. J. HooverIn this unique, interactive graphic novel, early readers learn how to make good choices - and even choose what the characters do next! Dragon and Unicorn are best friends who agree on everything. Well, almost everything. Dragon likes to follow the rules, while Unicorn is more of a free spirit, so sometimes they fight. Luckily, in these three stories, whenever the friends disagree, the reader gets to choose what happens next. Each choice leads to a different outcome, and at the end of the story, the reader can start again and choose a whole new storyline! Bestselling author P. J. Hoover lets readers drive the action in these short stories. The two characters are funny and relatable as they argue about clubhouse rules and what to do at a sleepover. As young readers consider the best way to deal with the interpersonal conflicts, they'll gain important social and relationship skills. Playful art by Lisa Wiley perfectly showcases the emotional drama in the stories. Strong curriculum ties to social-emotional learning, conflict resolution, and story writing combine with excellent character-education lessons in cooperation, empathy, honesty and teamwork in a totally immersive interactive package.
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Dog Man: Big Jim Believes: A Graphic Novel (Dog Man #14)by Dav PilkeyThe celebration comes to a halt for our heroes ... when the mischievous Space Cuties From Space return. Our caped crusaders--Dog Man (aka Scarlet Shedder), Commander Cupcake, and Sprinkles--along with Mecha Molly discover that the city has changed, and nothing is how it should be. Can Big Jim's positivity and innocence help our heroes? Will Dog Man, Big Jim, Grampa, and Molly have the courage to trust each other and save the day? How does the past help shape the future? And who is the chosen one?
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Matisse: Magician of Color by Derek DesiertoHenri Matisse loved color. He dreamed of being an artist. Even after his father pushed him to study for a "serious" job, Henri followed his heart and went to art school. Color was all around him! After a grueling illness, Henri had to reinvent the way he made art. And what he created became even more magical.
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History Smashers: Ancient Egypt by Kate MessnerMyths! Lies! Secret mummy curses? Grab your head lamp, the award-winning History Smashers are headed to Ancient Egypt to dig up the truth about this incredible early civilization-and the many myths that will be buried once and for all.
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Cooking Up Change: Grandma's Recipes from a Year in Black History by Michael PlattCooking Up Change is both a celebration of Black history and an invitation to experience it through the lens of food. With biographies of figures who shaped important events and mouthwatering recipes that carry their essence, this book will inspire future leaders with real stories of trailblazers who helped to change the world. One event per month is highlighted. After sharing the story of a person related to each event—such as Dorothy Height for International Women’s Day in March—Platt pairs each moment with a delectable recipe that carries the essence of the occasion. All the stories and recipes featured are inspired by his grandmother; the person who guided him in unearthing his Black heritage and moved him to fall in love with cooking. Each page features engaging color illustrations from Alleanna Harris.
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