New Releases by Lita Judge

In an old blue van, a young girl finds more than shelter and necessities, but a sense of belonging and love, despite occasionally feeling adrift between worlds.

An energetic squirrel isn’t ready to give up on winter fun and go to bed in this cozy picture book about animal friends who spend an unforgettable night romping in the snow! The snowstorm is over. The stars are out. But one little squirrel is not in bed. He’s having far too much fun building snow animals and gliding and skating on glittering ice with his friends Squirrel, Owl, Fox, and Bear…until drowsy eyes and sleepy yawns begin to slow the animals’ steps. Could it finally be time for Squirrel to turn in for the night?

Duckling is filled with ideas for helping his animal friends stay warm when snow is predicted, but unfortunately for Wuddles, the sheep, they all involve using some of his wool and Wuddles has nothing to keep him warm.

This illustrated history of dogs, from award-winning author-illustrator Lita Judge, explores how humans’ partnership with dogs changed our lives and theirs Of all the animals on the planet, dogs have the widest range of roles in our daily lives. They’re protectors, helpers, lifesavers—but most of all, they’re family. And they’ve taken a fascinating journey to get to this point. Long ago, early wolves evolved from fierce predators into trusted partners. They became dogs! While we know dogs to be lovable and full of personality, they have also historically improved our lives in many practical ways, like guarding livestock to help humans form the first settlements, cleaning out infectious wounds, and finding food. Covering over 50,000 years of history, from cave-dwelling to the present day, Dogs chronicles fascinating scientific details and the history of how dogs learned to live cooperatively alongside humans. In this beautifully illustrated and thoroughly researched book, award-winning author and illustrator Lita Judge explores how our lives are intertwined with dogs’—and that’s what makes them our best friends.

A trio of animal pals discover the beauty in making new friends in this tender and adorable picture book from Lita Judge, the beloved author-illustrator of Red Sled and Flight School. Mouse, Elephant, and Giraffe have so much in common. They like the same games. They eat the same snacks. They don’t need anyone else! Or do they? When the group takes a chance on opening up, they discover that meeting someone new and seeing things from a new perspective can be truly wonderful.

Beloved author-illustrator Lita Judge reminds readers that even the biggest and bravest were once small...and even the smallest can become anything they choose to be. There is strength in even the smallest things. Just as a bird grows within her egg, and a cub becomes a brave big bear, you too will grow. Patience, little one. And remember… even the smallest will grow. This beautiful and comforting book reassures children that the world is not too big but rather a place where there is room for everyone—and time enough to grow.

With lush illustrations, poems, and accessible scientific information, The Wisdom of Trees by Lita Judge is a fascinating exploration of the hidden communities trees create to strengthen themselves and others. We clean the air and seed the clouds, we drench the thirsty land with rain. We are like wizards. The story of a tree is a story of community, communication, and cooperation. Although trees may seem like silent, independent organisms, they form a network buzzing with life: they talk, share food, raise their young, and offer protection. Trees thrive on diversity, learn from their ancestors, and give back to their communities. Trees not only sustain life on our planet—they can also teach us important lessons about patience, survival, and teamwork. A New York Public Library Best Book of 2021 A New York Public Library Top Ten Book for Kids

Why do animals play? With thoughtful text and sweetly realistic watercolor art, author and illustrator Lita Judge explores the importance of play in the animal kingdom. She shows how play teaches animals to defend themselves and survive in the wild. More adorably, Judge highlights how animals make friends—and also forgive. Grounded in detailed research, Play in the Wild is sure to captivate young readers while giving them an informative peek into the world around them.

In the tradition of Where the Wild Things Are, beloved author-illustrator Lita Judge brings us a soaring story about the power of imagination. On a day when you feel like no one is listening, and you wish you could just disappear, shut your eyes and listen. Do you hear it? That isn’t your heart. That is the sound of your very own wings beating within. Acclaimed author-illustrator Lita Judge takes readers on a wonder-filled exploration of a child’s imagination, thoughtfully weaving in a gentle suggestion of how to explore that bountiful inner world and let it help them shine with courage in the real one.

What do grizzly bear cubs eat? Where do baby raccoons sleep? And how does a baby otter learn to swim? Every baby mammal, from a tiny harvest mouse "pinky" to a fierce lion cub, needs food, shelter, love, and a family. Filled with illustrations of some of the most adorable babies in the kingdom, Born in the Wild is an awww-inspiring look at the traits that all baby mammals share and proves that, even though they''re born in the wild, they''re not so very different from us, after all! This non-fiction picture book by Lita Judge is sure to appeal to budding naturalists and animal lovers.

As informative as it is lovely, Homes in the Wild is an adorable nonfiction picture book from author/illustrator Lita Judge that shows that wild creatures—from beavers to bobcats, and sloths to squirrels—aren''t so different from us after all. Just like us, every baby animal has a home. Some live in complex burrows deep underground, others in simple nests high in the treetops. But all homes, regardless of where they are or how they''re built, serve the same purpose: providing shelter where a baby can eat, sleep, learn, and stay safe while growing up. Animal lovers will delight in this gorgeously illustrated peek inside the homes—from burrows deep underground to nests high in the trees—where baby animals live and grow.

Penguin mastered his quest to soar with the eagles in Flight School—now he’s heading home to teach his friends in this sweet and inspiring stand-alone companion story! Penguin loves everything about flying: the wind beneath his wings, the song that rises from his belly, and the sight of new and wonderful places. Still, he misses his penguin friends in the South Pole. So, he flips and flaps back home, ready to teach them the magic of flight! But when he arrives, his enthusiasm for flying doesn’t get quite the reaction he expected. Will Penguin’s friends still like him, even if they don’t share his soaring dreams?

A free verse biography of Mary Shelley, the author of Frankenstein, featuring over 300 pages of black-and-white watercolor illustrations.

A young owl experiences the magic of a first snowfall--the quiet wintery wonder, the pristine beauty, and snowballs!--in this follow-up to the adorable Hoot and Peep It''s Peep''s first winter, and it''s going to snow very, very soon. Peep has so many questions for her older brother Hoot: Does snow drop, polppety splop, like the rain''s song? Does it scrinkle scrattle like falling leaves? But Hoot can''t remember snow very well. The one thing he knows for sure is that it is worth waiting for. But Peep doesn''t have his patience, and as she flies around the gorgeous Paris skies, she tries her best to make up her own snow song. But once those first snowflakes start to fall, Peep realizes just how wise her older brother really is for waiting...and just who she wants to cuddle up to when the snow starts to really sing. With all the wonder and the joy of a first snow day, and perfect for fans of The Quiet Book and Little Owl''s Night, this tender follow-up to Hoot and Peep is certainly worth waiting for, too.

In the night skies above Paris, an adorable young owl teaches her older brother about the power of imagination—and the unconditional love between siblings Hoot the owl is very excited for his little sister, Peep, to join him on the cathedral rooftops. She''s finally old enough to learn all his big brother owly wisdom: First, owls say hooo. Second, they always say hooo. Lastly, they ONLY say hooo! But why would Peep say hooo when she could say schweeepty peep or dingity dong? Why would she speak when she could sing? As she explores the breathtaking Parisian cityscape, Peep discovers so many inspiring sights and sounds—the ring of cathedral bells, the slap of waves on stone—that she can’t help but be swept up in the magic of it all. Hoot doesn’t understand Peep’s awe, until he takes a pause to listen . . . and realizes that you''re never too old to learn a little something new. From the beloved author/illustrator of the classic picture book Red Sled, this gorgeous read aloud celebrates the wonder found in little things—and in the hearts of dreamers, young and old.

Rise and shine—ready or not! A cheerful parrot pushes the limits of early-morning energy in this exuberant picture book from the author-illustrator of Red Sled and Flight School. Good morning, Mouse! Good morning, Kitty! Good morning, Gracie! And GOOD MORNING TO ME! It’s a sleepy morning in the cottage, but Beatrix the parrot is wide AWAKE…and she can’t wait to start the day with her friends. From the beloved author-illustrator of Red Sled, Red Hat, and Flight School, this joyful picture book is perfect for children who can’t contain their exuberance—and who might have a little, tiny, itty bit of trouble using indoor voices.

In this almost wordless mini edition, a host of woodland creatures take a child''s sledge for a night time joy ride. Their whimsical ride is gorgeously depicted in bold watercolour, complemented by humorous expressions and pitch-perfect sound effects. With its timeless tone and classic characters, RED SLEDGE is sure to become a wintertime favourite. "Packs a powerful visual punch . . . Pure genius." - Kirkus Reviews "Beautiful . . . A perfect book for both a small child to look at and for an imaginative adult to read aloud" - Anna Carey, Irish Times

A persevering penguin is determined to fly in this adorably inspiring Classic Board Book from the creator of Red Hat and Red Sled. Although little Penguin has the soul of an eagle, his body wasn’t built to soar. But Penguin has an irrepressible spirit, and he adamantly follows his dreams to flip, flap, fly! Even if he needs a little help with the technical parts, this penguin is ready to live on the wind.

"Dinosaurs and modern life collide in a very young picture book that clearly illustrates how big dinosaurs really were"--

A series of exuberant read-aloud sound effects perfectly capture the whimsy and joy of a springtime frolic in this companion to Red Sled. In this almost wordless springtime picture book, an adorable crew of baby animals borrows a familiar-looking red hat (last seen on the head of Red Sled’s unsuspecting protagonist) and embarks on a joy-filled escapade—until all that is left is a long piece of red string! Their playful romp is gorgeously depicted in bold watercolor and complemented by humorous expressions and pitch-perfect sound effects. With a timeless tone and classic characters, Red Hat promises to be an instant favorite.

An illustrated tribute to birds of all kinds and the funny, fascinating things that they do.

Find out what happens when a cast of unlikely woodland friends discover a well-loved sled outside a cozy cabin in this whimsical wintertime Classic Board Book! In this almost wordless story, a host of woodland creatures take a child’s sled for a nighttime joy ride. Their whimsical ride is gorgeously depicted in bold watercolor, complemented by humorous expressions and pitch-perfect sound effects. With a timeless tone and classic characters, Red Sled is a wintertime favorite for parents and little ones alike.

Walter Rothschild was born into a family of bankers and was nearly the richest boy in the world. He was also so shy he barely spoke. He had no friends, but he loved every creature that crawled, slithered or flew. At the age of seven, Walter saw his first circus parade. He excitedly declared to his parents: "I’m going to collect animals from all over the world and build a museum!" Soon Walter had his first exotic creatures: kangaroos, wallabies and kiwis. From there his collection grew until it threatened to take over the Rothschild estate. Lord Rothschild wanted his son to lead the family business eventually. But Walter wouldn’t give up his dream. Strange Creatures is the story of how a painfully shy boy followed his passion and became a brilliant scientist, forever changing our understanding of the world’s diversity of creatures.

Through easy to read text, this book shows readers how baby dinosaurs grew up to be giants.

/DIVExtra, Extra! Three Trained Pachyderms for Sale! When Dorothy and her brother Henry learn that three beloved local circus elephants will soon be retiring, they are shocked and dismayed—but also inspired! The owner has agreed to sell the elephants to the children of Boston if they can raise the $6,000. They have two months. They''ll have to contribute every penny they have, but they''re determined to do it. Soon, more and more children are joining in, donating eveything they have to the cause. Fourteen cents from Roger from washing windows. Five cents from Jimmy from the tooth fairy. Even the local cinema makes a contribution—after the children decide to stop spending their money on movies. Eventually, kids from up and down the whole east coast are chipping in! In the end, it''s the elephants themselves—Mollie, Waddy, and Tony—who are most grateful for the children''s resolute and generous spirit. DIVFollowing the immense critical success of One Thousand Tracings, Lita Judge has written and illustrated an inspiring and heartwarming picture book, based on a true story of compassion and believing.

Tom Moran had never ridden a horse or slept under the stars before, but the paintings he created on his journey from city boy to seasoned explorer would lead to the founding of America''s first national park.

The author describes her family''s efforts to help their friends and others who were left homeless and hungry in the aftermath of World War II.