New Releases by Chris Raschka

A delightful middle grade adventure by two-time Caldecott Medal winner Chris Raschka about good, evil, and cats. Generously illustrated with black-and-white illustrations. When a twelve-year-old girl named Cleo and her cat, Muffin, become the newest members of PURR (Peace Urgently Requires Reasonableness), a secret society of cats fighting for peace, they aren’t exactly sure what they’re getting themselves into. Then, PURR discovers that KLAW (Cats Loving Awful Warfare), an evil secret society of cats, is planning to send dogs to space for ransom. PURR tasks Cleo to infiltrate KLAW as a secret spy so together they can stop them. It will take the intelligence, confidence, and tenacity of a feline to save the world from KLAW’s evil plans. Does Cleo have what it takes? Includes gorgeous black-and-white watercolors by two-time Caldecott Medalist Chris Raschka.

A church is a weighty thing, isn’t it? Its doors are heavy and hard to budge. Its walls are made of stone. And there may be strange or even scary pictures inside. How can a small person make sense of these intimidating places? Two-time Caldecott medalist Chris Raschka shares his mother’s wonderful way of visiting a church: what they would call saint spotting. Each visit to a church becomes an adventure, a trip through the stories that have shaped centuries of faith. Playful and poignant, this beautifully illustrated book introduces readers to saints and symbols through the warm bond between a mother and son. From bookish Paul to faithful Mary Magdalene, from musical Cecilia to animal-loving Francis, there’s a fascinating saint to discover in every corner.

It’s time to celebrate family, community, generosity, and giving! Two-time Caldecott Medalist Chris Raschka’s stunning picture book is the perfect pick to share whenever family and friends gather together to celebrate and give thanks, no matter the occasion. Spend the day around the heart of a home: the blue table. A shopping list is written, food is prepared, and the table is set. Guests arrive, thanks are given, and a meal is shared. What then? It’s time to pitch in and clean up, of course! Limited text, bright colors, and stunning collage illustrations make The Blue Table ideal for the youngest reader and for storytime sharing. In just thirty-two pages, two-time Caldecott Medalist and New York Times–bestselling picture book creator Chris Raschka captures the very essence of community—and gratitude.

From Caldecott Award–winning and New York Times bestselling author Chris Raschka, this tender and fun-filled picture book celebrates unexpected friendship and city life from the perspective of pigeons! How do two friends find each other? Why choose this one, not another? Are two friends just meant to be— I for you and you for me? Two pigeons fly through the city hoping to find a friend—but where do friends come from? In this brightly illustrated love letter to cities, the fine, feathered characters discover the magical, unlikely connections that happen best in the hustle and bustle of a big city.

From Caldecott Medalist Chris Raschka comes a sweet, simple picture book dialogue between a mother and baby, for the youngest of children. Mama and Baby clap and play hide-and-seek and pat-a-cake. Mama and Baby . . . Mama? Where did Mama go? In a series of spreads, simple, bold illustrations show a mother on one side and a baby on the other, interacting in universally familiar ways — until Mama dips out briefly, then returns to her crying child to offer comfort again. With his usual flair, the redoubtable Chris Raschka offers a reassuring moment that will resonate with mamas and babies everywhere.

Celebrated picture book creators Chris Raschka and Vladimir Radunsky offer one possible answer to the age-old question: Who was Mother Goose? We all love to hear Mother Goose rhymes and riddles. But did you know that there was a real Mother Goose who lived in Boston more than three hundred years ago? In 1692, Elizabeth Foster married a widower with ten children. His name was Isaac Goose, and after they married, Elizabeth became Mother Goose. She and Isaac had four more children together, and to help her care for such a big and boisterous family, Mother Goose sang songs and lullabies and made up rhymes and poems. Her nursery rhymes and stories were published at a print shop on Pudding Lane in Boston, though no copies of her book exist today. In a book featuring some of Mother Goose’s best-loved works, Vladimir Radunsky’s bright and humorous illustrations and Chris Raschka’s rhyming poems tell the little-known story of the Goose children, Isaac, and Elizabeth herself — the Mother Goose of Pudding Lane.

From Caldecott Medalist and New York Times bestselling author-illustrator Chris Raschka comes a gorgeously illustrated retelling of Mozart’s classic opera, The Magic Flute. The Magic Flute is the favorite choice of many opera lovers. But ask any of them to tell you the rambunctious, mystical, and downright oddball story of the opera and no two tellers will agree. Enter Chris Raschka, an opera goer himself. His stunning version of the original plot and the otherworldly events which inspired Mozart’s glorious music showcases his interpretation from the storytelling front curtain at the start, to the radiant finale at the end. Readers will be exclaiming, Bravo!

A charming introduction to Saint Paul and his epistles Caldecott Medal-winner Chris Raschka breathes new life into the letters of Paul the Apostle with this inviting book. Each sumptuous page distills the main themes of Paul’s epistles into approachable, appealing language. Chris Raschka expertly depicts Paul’s sincerity and compassion, sadness and pain, giving readers a true sense of who Paul really was. Paul Writes (a Letter) celebrates how one of the most beloved biblical figures changed the world through the written word.

Two-time Caldecott Medalist and New York Times–bestselling picture book creator Chris Raschka pays tribute to one of the most quintessential events of childhood—getting new shoes—in this boldly illustrated and inspiring book for the youngest reader. When a young child discovers a hole in a sneaker, mother and child embark on a big childhood adventure—a trip to the store to pick out new shoes. From having feet measured and making a selection to finally showing off the new shoes to a friend, this momentous child moment is treated with respect, excitement, and page-turning energy in a wonderfully age-appropriate picture book. Caldecott Medalist and New York Times–bestselling picture book creator Chris Raschka joyfully captures the event from the child’s point of view. New Shoes is a preschool classic in the making.

From Caldecott Award winner Chris Raschka, tales of unforgettable characters who live in a NYC apartment building “To the company of ur-New Yorkers like Stuart Little, Harriet the Spy, and Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile, let me hold open the door for The Doorman’s Repose. A new favorite." —Gregory Maguire “….marvelously intriguing stories…” —Lemony Snicket Some of us look up at those craggy, mysterious apartment buildings found in the posher parts of New York City and wonder what goes on inside. The Doorman’s Repose collects ten stories about 777 Garden Avenue, one of the craggiest. The first story recounts the travails of the new doorman, who excels at all his tasks except perhaps the most important one—talking baseball. Others tell of a long-forgotten room, a cupid-like elevator, and the unlikely romance of a cerebral psychologist and a jazz musician, both of whom are mice. Because the animals talk and the machinery has feelings, these are children’s stories. Otherwise they are for anyone intrigued by what happens when many people, strangers or kin, live together under one roof.

Winner of the 2012 Randolph Caldecott Medal This New York Times Bestseller and New York Times Best Illustrated Book relates a story about love and loss as only Chris Rashcka can tell it. Any child who has ever had a beloved toy break will relate to Daisy''s anguish when her favorite ball is destroyed by a bigger dog. In the tradition of his nearly wordless picture book Yo! Yes?, Caldecott Medalist Chris Raschka explores in pictures the joy and sadness that having a special toy can bring. Raschka''s signature swirling, impressionistic illustrations and his affectionate story will particularly appeal to young dog lovers and teachers and parents who have children dealing with the loss of something special.

Buggy Bug has something to say. But what could it be? Crabby Crab is not in a good mood. No, Crabby Crab would rather complain than do anything else! Cowy Cow has so many ideas. In fact, she has one hundred of them! Clammy Clam is so shy he refuses to say a simple “hello.” In these short stories from master illustrator Chris Raschka, four funny animals will do as they please—and might just learn something in the end.

A New York Review Children’s Collection Original An ALPHABET book? An ALBUM of old photos? We named it ALPHABETABUM. Here celebrated artists and authors Vladimir Radunsky and Chris Raschka put a delightful new old-fashioned spin on the alphabet book. Radunsky has selected portraits of children from his spectacular collection of antique black and-white photographs. Raschka has given the children names and written deliciously teasing rhymes about them. The result is ALPHABETABUM, a book of letters and pictures to which readers will happily return again and again both to look and to learn.

Theme: Wanting attention. Buggy Bug has something to say. But what could it be? We may never know, in this pitch-perfect portrait of the inconsistencies of toddlerhood. Buggy Bug’s insistence on attention—and then denial of attention—will prompt giggles upon each reading. Chris Raschka writes humor between the lines and paints in subtleties that will tickle readers of all ages.

Theme: Feeling shy. Introducing . . . Clammy Clam! It’s . . . Clammy Clam! And yet, Clammy Clam refuses to say a simple “hello.” In this tribute to the silent type, readers are reminded that kids can be unpredictable, requiring improvisation and compromise. Chris Raschka’s expert balance of visual and textual humor will bring even the shyest of readers out of their shells! This is a fixed-format ebook, which preserves the design and layout of the original print book.

In his apple orchard, a farmer meets a little man named Take and follows his advice, which does not turn out well, and the next day meets a little man named Give, whose advice is just as bad.

Theme: Feeling Grumpy. Crabby Crab is not in a good mood. No, Crabby Crab would rather complain than do anything else! Young readers will be drawn in by this humorous look into an all-too-familiar situation, and be comforted in the end. Chris Raschka’s expert balance of visual and textual humor will charm even the grumpiest of readers!

Theme: Feeling Smart. Cowy Cow has so many ideas! In fact, she has one hundred of them: green is the best color ever; chewed grass tastes like a cookie . . . But has Cowy Cow ever tasted a cookie before? Though her research may be flawed, this single cow’s efforts to make silly sense of the world are both tickling and inspiring! Chris Raschka’s award-winning brush strokes add just the right amount of emotion and comedy.

Caldecott Medalist Chris Raschka shares his love of jazz great Sun Ra, just in time to mark the centennial of the musician’s birth. Jazz musician Sun Ra (1914–1993) always said that he came from Saturn. Being from another planet, he was naturally intrigued by everything earthly — especially music, because music is the one thing on Earth most like the stars. Earthlings themselves confused Sun Ra, the way they sorted themselves by color and fought wars against one another. So he made music. And he traveled with other musicians and singers, calling themselves the Sun Ra Arkestra, playing, singing, and dancing for people all over the planet. Because music, he said, is what holds us all together. Join acclaimed author-illustrator Chris Raschka in celebrating a legend of the jazz world who was truly one of a kind.

"A must for Daisy fans everywhere," declares School Library Journal in a starred review. With the same emotional intensity that he brought to his New York Times bestselling, New York Times Best Illustrated, and Caldecott Medal-winning picture book A Ball for Daisy, Raschka has created a story that explores fear as only he can. Any child who has ever felt lost will relate to Daisy''s despair upon finding herself in an unfamiliar part of the park after chasing a squirrel. In a nearly wordless picture book, Daisy encounters the unease of being lost and the joys of being found. Raschka''s signature swirling, impressionistic illustrations and his affectionate story will particularly appeal to young dog lovers, teachers, parents and, of course, the legions of Daisy fans out there.

Two-time Caldecott Medalist Chris Raschka''s dazzling fiction debut. Now that the whole thing is over (and we all survived!), I can tell you what happened. Picture this for a second. Rock wall six inches on my left. Sheer cliff hundreds of feet down on my right, my best friend Norman in front of me, mumbling something, and my mom behind me saying, "Step, step, step." EEEEEEYAAAAAH! Next time my mom bugs me about sitting in front of the computer too much, I''m going to say, "Thanks, I prefer it where the near-death experiences are virtual!" No, seriously, this story is about Norman and about how he grows and learns stuff. Uses his imagination. Observes things. Like his dad, who is so devoted to . . . money! Like how his dad is mixed up with weird creeps of the underworld. All over the world! Why, why are grown-ups so insane? That''s exactly the question that Norman, Anna and Emma (the twins), and I, Leonard, try to answer. And with the help of Norman''s new tutor, Balthazar Birdsong (also fairly nuts), we nearly do it, too. Praise for SERIOUSLY, NORMAN! A NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW NOTABLE CHILDREN''S BOOK "Appealingly quirky and adventurous; a celebration of the power of thinking outside the box."--KIRKUS REVIEWS "This rousing tale contains strong wordplay and a lot of humor."--HORN BOOK "A visual, loopy, absurdist experience."--THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW

“[Raschka''s] marvelous sequences, fluid style, and emotional intelligence capture all of the momentum and exhilaration of this glorious accomplishment,” raves School Library Journal in a starred review. Learning to ride a bike is one of the most important milestones of childhood, and no one captures the emotional ups and downs of the experience better than Chris Raschka, who won the 2012 Caldecott Medal for A Ball for Daisy. In this simple yet emotionally rich "guide," a father takes his daughter through all the steps in the process—from choosing the perfect bicycle to that triumphant first successful ride. Using very few words and lots of expressive pictures, here is a picture book that not only shows kids how to learn to ride, but captures what it feels like to fall . . . get up . . . fall again . . . and finally "by luck, grace, and determination" ride a bicycle!

So, you want to be a sardine? Once there was a fish named Arlene, who wanted to be a sardine. She wanted to be a sardine just like the silvery, salty fish that you see in those little tins at the grocery store. With the bold brushstrokes of his vibrant illustrations, Chris Raschka follows Arlene’s journey from a fjord to a big net to a briny bath aboard a fishing boat. And he reveals just how to get packed like a sardine! This fixed-layout ebook, which preserves the design and layout of the original print book, features read-along narration.

When you can’t sleep, there’s a friend for you in the night sky For a little puppy who can’t fall asleep, a darkened bedroom can be a lonely place. As his family prepares for bed, he lies awake and is frightened. It is very dark . . . but he is not alone. Outside his window, the moon rises in the sky. The moon promises to stay awake and keep him safe. There’s nothing to fear at night when the moon is keeping watch. And in the morning, it’s the puppy’s turn to keep watch for the sleeping moon. This fixed-layout ebook, which preserves the design and layout of the original print book, features read-along narration.

Four animals have no choice but to be themselves—even if it means being silly! What is Doggy Dog? Is he a cat? Is he a potato? Is he a lampshade? No! He is a dog! Goosey Goose is a goose, and that means she is trouble. Mess with her and you will see just how tough a goose can be. Lamby Lamb is very sweet—until you try to make her put on her clothes. How do you make Lamby Lamb get dressed? Trick her! We love Snaily Snail no matter what. We love her when she’s here; we love her when she’s there. We love her every day—and you will too! In these succinct, quirky stories from master illustrator Chris Raschka, four silly animals learn that it’s important to be themselves. This fixed-layout ebook, which preserves the design and layout of the original print book, features read-along narration.

It’s not easy being a blushful hippopotamus Baby hippo Roosevelt tries hard to ride a bike, to count, and to remember the right names of things. When he falls down, forgets a number, or calls a buffalo a “buggalo,” Roosevelt gets embarrassed. His cheeks turn red, and his sister teases him, saying he’s a blushful hippopotamus. Thankfully, Roosevelt has Lombard, an egret friend with a sense of perspective. Lombard reminds Roosevelt that though he may be blushful, he is also hopeful, thoughtful, and wonderful in many ways—and his sister’s words don’t mean a thing. This fixed-layout ebook, which preserves the design and layout of the original print book, features read-along narration.

Four silly tales of animals who love to make mischief—no matter what! Whaley Whale is hiding. Is she on the table? Is she in a basket? We don’t know! Moosey Moose is angry. Why is Moosey Moose angry? Because he wants to put on his long pants! Wormy Worm is wiggling. Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle. Wormy Worm wiggles so much, he doesn’t know which end is which. And Sluggy Slug? Well, Sluggy Slug just won’t go. Nope. No matter what we do, he just won’t go. In these short stories from master illustrator Chris Raschka, four funny animals will do as they please—even if it means wiggling all day! This fixed-layout ebook, which preserves the design and layout of the original print book, features read-along narration.

When a child becomes aware of his pending death (children tend to know long before the rest of us even want to consider it), and is given the opportunity to draw his feelings, he will often draw a blue or purple balloon, released and unencumbered, on its way upward. Health-care professionals have discovered that this is true, regardless of a child''s cultural or religious background and researchers believe that this is symbolic of the child''s innate knowledge that a part of them will live forever. . . . In disarmingly simple and direct language, accompanied by evocative potato print illustrations, Raschka in conjunction with Children''s Hospice International (CHI), creates a moving, sensitive book that is also a phenomenally useful tool to talk about death. The message of the book is clear: talking about dying is hard, dying is harder, but there are many people in your life who can help. Children''s Hospice International (CHI), a nonprofit organization founded in 1983, is paving the way for the establishment of children''s hospice and related services worldwide.

Rhyming text and touch-and-feel illustrations introduce a variety of farm animals and the sounds they make.