sponsored by Blue Wilow Bookshop
About Blue Willow Books: We opened our doors in October 1996 as a neighborhood bookshop with outreach throughout the Houston area. We are located in the West Memorial area on Memorial Drive, and we welcome you to come browse our shelves for books, games, puzzles, stationery, and more. We sell new books, downloadable audio books and e-books through our website. We host over 300 events per year (and yes, we are tired!) We are a merry band of booksellers with opinionated advice about almost every category of books.
Books for ages 4–8 (and their parents, grandparents, and older friends)
Arthur Zarr’s Amazing Art Car
Written by Cathey Graham Nickell
Illustrated by Bill Megenhardt
Suitable for all ages, but especially ages 4-8
Twenty-Eight Creative, hardcover, 40 pgs., 2016, ISBN: 978-0-9961150-0-1, $19.99
The first children’s picture book about an art car! Arthur Zarr is a quiet man with few friends. His life is rather plain, and his car is plain, too. But not for long! Mr. Zarr finds happiness and makes friends by building an amazing art car. In this whimsical story, children learn about recycling, community, friendship building, and the power of imagination. The book includes a “History of Art Cars” page for readers who’ve never heard of this creative form of artistic expression.
Theodore Thumbs
Written by Steven T. Moore
Illustrated by Morgan Davis
Ages 4-8, Kindergarten through Grade 3
Clear Fork Publishing, hardcover, 40 pgs., April 2016, 978-0989956857, $16.99
Theodore Thumbs is a story about a shy boy who must face bullies when he goes to school. Each morning Theo wakes up determined to have a good day. Unfortunately, awful days rain down like storm clouds. In this book, you will see the power that hateful words and bullying can have on children. Theodore Thumbs shows us how to overcome bullying in our schools, neighborhoods, and communities. Learn how to live with your thumb held high into the sky and with a smile of great cheer. This delightful bedtime story will touch the hearts of children and adults alike. clearforkpublishing.com
I Can Learn to Pray
Written by Holly Hawkins Shivers
Illustrated by Becka Moore
Ages, 4-8, Preschool through Grade 3
Thomas Nelson, hardcover, 223 pgs., March 15, 2016, 978-0718081690, $14.99
We’re not always sure how to pray . . . but Jesus says that prayer is something to be learned. And what better time to learn how to pray than during childhood, when habits that will last a lifetime are formed?
This devotional is a terrific guide for families to understand prayer. From “Thank you!” prayers to “I’m sorry!” prayers, children will learn what it means to draw near to God. Holly Hawkins Shivers, a mother gifted at connecting with kids, makes every discussion engaging and relatable, and helps young believers grow leaps and bounds in their faith.
I Can Learn the Bible
Written by Holly Hawkins Shivers
Illustrated by Becka Moore
Ages, 4-8, Grade Level 3-7
Thomas Nelson, hardcover, 224 pgs., November 11, 2014, 978-0529108999, $14.99
In this 52-week devotional for children, author Holly Hawkins Shivers adapts the gift book The Joshua Code (written by her father, O.S. Hawkins) into a devotional that will help kids learn and live the scriptures. Using kid-friendly language, I Can Learn the Bible teaches scriptures in a way children can understand. Each week, kids will commit a new scripture to memory by reading a fun, engaging devotional. These 52 scriptures will continue to write the truth on their hearts so that they will remember it forever.
My Mama Loves Me
Written by Shanalee Sharboneau
Illustrated by Israel Dilean
Ages 4-8, Kindergarten through Grade 3
Mascot Books, hardcover, 38 pgs., October 2015, 978-1620869154, $14.95
Shanalee’s son Braydon was born with severe reflex. She spent months rocking her son humming a melody which later formed words. This became the lullaby she sang to her son “My Mama Loves Me”.
My Mama Loves Me: I’m Her Little Girl and My Mama Loves Me: I’m Her Little Boy have the lullaby text and gorgeous illustrations by Israel Dilean showing the love between mother and child.
Shanalee’s books are sold all over the world. Recognized by Financial Guru, Dave Ramsey, Ireland’s President, Michael Higgins and First Lady Laura Bush, she was featured on “Moving America Forward” by William Shatner.
Carlos & Carmen, One Tire House
Written by Kirsten McDonald
Illustrated by Erika Meza
Ages 4-8, Kindergarten through Grade 3
Calico Kid is an imprint of Magic Wagon, a division of ABDO. Formats include reinforced library bound hardcovers, Anywhere eBooks, and Read-to-Me eBooks. Titles feature full-color illustrations and include a table of contents, hardcover, 32 pgs., Series ISBN 9781624021367, $27.07
Get ready beginning readers, here comes Carlos and Carmen! Emergent readers will race through these easy readers alongside the twins. Teachers, parents, and librarians will welcome the Carlos and Carmen series to their shelves because it meets a need for children’s books that feature Latino characters living middle-class American lives. Simple Spanish terms and their definitions are introduced and reinforced in these colorful books.
Naughty Nana
Written by Saralyn Richard
Illustrated by Rebecca Evans
For pre-school to grade 4
Palm Circle Press, hard or soft cover, 32 pgs., October 2013, $16.99 hard, $13.99 soft. Based on the escapades of the real-live Nana, an exuberant Old English sheepdog puppy, who “just wants to have fun,” the tale is sensitively told and richly illustrated. Nana turns Grammy’s and Papa’s lives upside down, until she meets someone who shows her how much better it is to be nice. Galveston author provides literacy activities upon request. Order at www.palmcirclepress.com from the Bookstore page.
Books for young readers
Luminaries: A Children’s Book Anthology
Written and illustrated by Tracy Simpson
Outskirts Press, paperback, 978-1478771012, $19.99
Story #1 is about aliens that are working together with corrupted humans to destroy earth’s resources and the human spirit. Members of the zodiac and arch angels save the day.
Story #2 follows two fireflies who befriend a faerie and show how friendship can overcome all obstacles. Then friendly time traveler visitors bringing a message of love and hope to all sentient beings.
Story #3 is about two children who discover a talking unicorn who is captured, then rescued by the children’s Uncle Clyde. Kira, the unicorn, then entrusts them with one hundred magical crystals to heal planet earth.
Voices of the Western Frontier
Written by Sherry Garland
Illustrated by Julie Dupré Buckner
For grades 3+
Pelican Publishing Company, hardcover, 40 pgs., February 2016, 9781455619610, $17.99.
Focusing on the bold and courageous explorers and settlers who extended the frontier to the western coastline, Sherry Garland narrates in the voices of figures from history. She personalizes the adventures of Sacagawea, Jedediah Smith, George Catlin, and Annie Oakley. She furthers the timeline with characters representing whole populations, including a girl traveling west in a prairie schooner, a Santa Fe merchant, a gold prospector, and more. Together, the narrative and the art tell the tale of ancestors who created the foundation of the American nation.
Bulldoggers Club series
Written by Barbara Hay
Illustrated by Steven Walker
Ages 8-12, Grades 4-7
The Roadrunner Press, hardcover, 140 pgs., October 2012, 978-1937054151, $16.95
Being a member of The Bulldoggers Club, means summer days spent outdoors—fishing, riding horses, and catching fireflies. In The Tale of the Ill-Gotten Catfish, the Bulldoggers catch a monster catfish at Quicksand Pond; in Book 2, The Tale of the Tainted Buffalo Wallow, the fellows set out on their first road trip with a thunderstorm threatening. Fall 2016 will see the debut of Book 3 in Barbara Hay’s award-winning series: The Tale of the Tumbleweed Witch—just in time for Halloween!
Available at your local bookstore or online at indiebound.org, BarnesandNoble.com, or Amazon.com.
Belinda Everette; Illustrated by Rosa Maria Garza
Ages 10–13
CreateSpace / Amazon
Paperback, 62 pages, ISBN-13:978-1534631717, $8.99
June 2016
It’s the beginning of summer and Uncle Mike and Aunt Melanie invite Mackenzie for an extended summer vacation in their hometown of Houston, TX. On the first day, Mackenzie finds her cousins, Cristen and Chloe helping their parents prepare a special meal. Come and learn about the holiday and celebration of Juneteenth with this first book in The Adventures of Mackenzie and Cristen, a cultural journey of joy, family and fun!
Alamo All-Stars: Hazardous Tales
Created by Nathan Hale
Ages 8-12, Grades 3-7
Harry N. Abrams, hardcover, 128 pgs., March 29,2016, 978-1419719028, $12.95
From Nathan Hale, #1 New York Times bestselling author and Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List maker, comes the definitive graphic novel about the Alamo. Hale relays the facts, politics, military actions, and prominent personalities that defined the Texas Revolution in factual yet humorous scenes that will capture the attention of reluctant readers and fans of history alike. Through his vivid depiction and additional maps, and biographies located in the back of the book, Nathan Hale brings new insight for students, teachers, and historians into one of the most iconic structures in the United States.
Lone Star Legacy: The Texas Rangers Then and Now
Written by Melanie Chrismer
For grades 5-10
Pelican Publishing Company, paperback, 144 pgs., April 2016, 9781455621040, $16.95
Follow the two-hundred-year-history of the Texas Rangers and the changes that took place in the state from the organization’s inception to its current incarnation. Emphasis is placed on the diversity of those who assisted the Rangers, including Native Americans, Texans of Mexican heritage, and African Americans, along with the newest addition—women rangers. Covering the creation of the Rangers as a response to territorial conflict, their role under the Republic, their defense against Mexican invaders, and their evolution during the twentieth century, Chrismer has created the perfect resource for the classroom.
Quest Theater, Book 1
Bones in the Basement
Written by Lora Gray
Middle-grade reader for ages 8-12
Price $9.85
Pearl Quest and her twin brothers, Oscar and Bernie, have no choice but to spend afternoons with their mysterious grandfather in the old theater where he lives. All they really want is to find out what happened to their grandmother, and why no one ever talks about her disappearance. Oscar suspects she’s buried in the basement but, as they discover, the theater holds more secrets than just bones!
mystery, action, adventure, sci-fi, good for young readers who enjoyed the Magic Treehouse books.
Some kids’ top picks from Blue Willow Books
Tell Me A Tattoo Story
Written by Alison McGhee
Illustrated by Eliza Wheeler
Ages 2-5, Pre-school to kindergarten
Chronicle Books, hardcover, 32 pgs., April 2016, 978-1452119373, $16.99
One evening, curious Little Man wants to hear all about his father’s tattoos. His father walks him through each inked piece; from the Ferris wheel representing the first date with his wife to the dragon representing a favorite story book. Flowing text paired with a great palette of illustrations combine to make this a picture book that highlights the connections between images and storytelling.
The Grumpy Pets
Written and illustrated by Kristine Lombardi
Ages 5-7, Kindergarten to grade 2
Harry N. Abrams, hardcover, 32 pgs., April 2016, 978-1419718885, $14.95
Billy’s mom takes him to the pet store to get a pet that will hopefully give him a reason to smile. He’s surrounded by cute, happy dogs and cats — blech! Fortunately, he finds a section in the back of the store reserved for the Grumpy Pets, who were crabby, cranky and moody. A picture book that reminds us that we can all find the right pet if we take the time to look.
As Brave As You
Written by Jason Reynolds
Age range: 10 and up, Grade Level 5 and up
Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books, hardcover, 432 pgs., May 2016, 978-1481415903, $16.99
Genie and his older brother Ernie head to rural Virginia to spend a month with their grandparents while their parents take a summer vacation. Genie’s only seen his Grandma once and has never met Grandpop. Life in the country is pretty straightforward: there’s chores each day and places to explore. But Grandpop won’t go outside and shuts himself away in a room for hours at a time. During the month away, Genie learns that bravery comes in many different forms and that families can sometimes find their way back together. A picture perfect story for grades 5 and up.
Wolf Hollow
Written by Lauren Wolk
Age range: 10 and up, Grade Level 5 and up
Dutton Books for Young Readers, hardcover, 304 pgs., May 2016, 978-1101994825, $16.99
In 1943 in rural western Pennsylvania, eleven-year-old Annabelle lives with her parents, her grandparents, and her two younger brothers on a good-sized family farm. Annabelle’s life has been relatively uneventful…until Betty Glengarry arrives. Full of hate and a master at deflecting suspicion, Betty singles out Annabelle, threatening her safety and that of her brothers. Cornered one morning on the way to school in the woods by Betty, Annabelle is saved by Toby, a reclusive World War I veteran. Vile acts escalate, and when Betty goes missing, Toby appears to be the culprit. Annabelle’s courage, character, and fortitude are tested at a very tender age. Bound to become a classic in its own right, Wolf Hollow is To Kill a Mockingbird for the middle grade reader. Not to be missed!
Serpent King
Written by Jeff Zentner
Young Adult/Teens
Crown Books for Young Readers, hardcover, 384 pgs., March 2016, 978-0553524024, $16.99
Dill, Lydia, and Travis are friends just starting their senior year in Forrestville, TN. Dill’s snake handling evangelical father is currently in prison. Lydia is desperate to break out of the town via her much heralded fashion blog. Travis is content to stay as long as he has his Game of Thrones like book series to make him happy. Their world is about to change in a very big way. Zentner handles their passage lovingly. You will cry and you will cheer.
And a few more Texas authors and Texas titles for kids from Lone Star Literary Life
Our Great Big Backyard
Written by Laura Bush and Jenna Bush Hager
Illustrated by Jacqueline Rogers
Ages 4-8, Preschool through Grade 3
HarperCollins, hardcover, 40 pgs., May 2016, 978-0062468352, $18.99
To help commemorate the one hundredth anniversary of the National Park Service, #1 New York Times bestselling authors former First Lady Laura Bush and her daughter Jenna Bush Hager have created an exuberant picture book tribute to our national parks and the importance and fun of connecting with nature.
Our Great Big Backyard follows Jane, whose plans of spending the summer playing video games with her friends are dashed when her parents announce that her family is going on a road trip to national parks around the country. Yet somewhere between the Everglades and Big Bend National Park, things begin to change. Jane starts paying attention to the magnificent sights and spends less time looking at her screen. The stunning views open up her imagination as she and her brother see everything that nature has to offer. And the more Jane discovers, the more she realizes how much there is to love about the outdoors—whether she’s in a national park across the country or right in her own backyard.
Where Is Pidge?
Written by Michelle Staubach Grimes
Illustrated by Bill DeOre
Ages 4-7, Preschool through Grade 2
Pidge Media, LLC, hardcover, 40 pgs., March 2015, 978-0990842002, $16.95
Pidge – the middle child in a big family – is curious, helpful and fun, but sometimes gets lost in the shuffle. She’s mostly content with her book, her dog and her siblings, but one day she’s had it with not feeling special – Pidge decides to run away! Her plan goes awry and she finds herself STUCK in a very odd place. After a long day, she finds her way back into the arms of her family. There, Pidge is reminded that they love her deeply, and a day without Pidge in the Hoobler home is a disaster. Michelle Staubach Grimes is one of five children of Dallas Cowboy legend Roger Staubach.
Mickey Rangel Mystery Series
Written by Rene Saldana, Jr.
Illustrated by Giovanni Mora
Ages 9-12, Grades 3-7
Pinata Books, paperback, 96 pgs., May 2009, 978-1558855557, $9.95
The bilingual Mickey Rangel mystery series first debuted in 2009. If you grew up on Encyclopedia Brown, you’ll appreciate this contemporary sleuth created by Rene Saldana, Jr. The Mickey Rangel Mystery series for intermediate readers features a his wise-cracking, smart protagonist who will appeal to even the most reluctant readers.
Dr. René Saldaña, Jr., is the author of several books for children and young adults, among them The Jumping Tree, The Whole Sky Full of Stars, the bilingual Mickey Rangel mystery series, and the bilingual picture book Dale, Dale, Dale: Una fiesta de números/Hit It, Hit It, Hit It: A Fiesta of Numbers. He is an associate professor at Texas Tech University who teaches in the Language, Diversity, and Literacy Studies department.
The Bulldoggers Series
Barbara Hay (Author), Tim Jessell (Illustrator), Steven Walker (Illustrator)
Roadrunner Press
A new series for middle-graders: Being a member of The Bulldoggers Club means you love horses, but it is also a ticket to fishing, roping, and all kinds of adventures. Book Three in Oklahoma children’s author Barbara Hay’s award-winning Bulldoggers Club Series will be released nationally October 4. The new book is THE BULLDOGGERS CLUB—THE TALE OF THE TUMBLEWEED WITCH. If your kids—or you—haven’t read Books 1 and 2, you have summer to do so before the new one is out. The Bulldogger’s Club was a Finalist, Juvenile Fiction, 2014 Book of the Year from ForeWord Reviews
Alamo All-Stars: Hazardous Tales
Created by Nathan Hale
Ages 8-12, Grades 3-7
Harry N. Abrams, hardcover, 128 pgs., March 29,2016, 978-1419719028, $12.95
From Nathan Hale, #1 New York Times bestselling author and Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List maker, comes the definitive graphic novel about the Alamo.
Hale relays the facts, politics, military actions, and prominent personalities that defined the Texas Revolution in factual yet humorous scenes that will capture the attention of reluctant readers and fans of history alike.
In the early 1800s, Texas was a wild and dangerous land fought over by the Mexican government, Native Americans, and settlers from the United States. Beginning with the expeditions of the so-called “Land Pirates,” through the doomed stand at the Alamo, and ending with the victory over Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto, the entire Texas saga is on display. Leading the charge to settle this new frontier is Stephen F. Austin, with a cast of dangerous and colorful characters, including Jim Bowie, William Travis, David Crockett, and others.
Through his vivid depiction and additional maps, and biographies located in the back of the book, Nathan Hale brings new insight for students, teachers, and historians into one of the most iconic structures in the United States.
Nathan Hale is the #1 New York Times bestselling author and illustrator of the Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales series, which includes One Dead Spy; Donner Dinner Party; Treaties, Trenches, Mud and Blood; Big Bad Ironclad!; and The Underground Abductor, one of which earned a place on the Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List. He also illustrated the graphic novel Rapunzel’s Revenge, which was a TODAY show “Al’s Book Club for Kids” selection, an ALA-ALSC Notable Children’s Book, and a YALSA Great Graphic Novel for Teens, as well as the recipient of three starred reviews.
That’s Not Hay in My Hair
Written by Juliette Turner
Age range: 8-12 years Grade levels: 5-9
Zonderkidz, paperback, 240 pgs., March 2016, 978-0310732440, $8.99
New York City life had crammed sidewalks, gasoline-filled puddles, and angry taxi drivers, but Jules enjoyed the towering skyscrapers, the half-block walk to school, and the restaurant smells wafting into her bedroom. She had never cared for a horse, let alone a longhorn, when her mother announced their imminent move to a 300-acre ranch in Texas, where they would be caring for three horses, five dogs, twenty-five longhorns, and a cat … all by themselves.
Jules couldn’t help feeling excited, even though she’d have to climb a hill to get a bar of cell-phone service. Soon she was running from bats and snakes, rescuing a calf from a twenty-foot ditch, medicating ponies, and having adventures so crazy it’s hard to believe they’re for real—but Turner’s novel is based on actual experiences she had herself.
The 18-year old debut novelist Juliette Turner is the daughter of actress Janine Turner best known for her role in the TV series Northern Exposure as Maggie O’Connell.
This isn’t Juliette’s first published book. She’s also the author of two nonfiction works.
In 2012’s Our Constitution Rocks!, she wrote about the U.S. Constitution in a way that made the historic document relevant to a new generation. In 2014’s Our Presidents Rock!, she introduced young readers to presidential history.
There could be a movie version of That’s Not Hay in My Hair. A production company called Inkling Entertainment has already bought the film rights.
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