Zach Manbeck’s debut as both author and illustrator is in the tradition of The Wonderful Things You Will Be and I Wish You More, reminding us that "all who wander are not lost."
You are here, and from here there are so many places you can go. But how will you know how to get there? In this warm and wise debut, Zach Manbeck gives readers a poetic roadmap to help us find our way in the world, while also reminding us all that right now, we are here—exactly where we are meant to be.
STANLEY’S SECRET by John Sullivan
“An inspiring and poignant picture book about a boy learning the self-confidence to fulfill his dream of dancing in front of his peers.”
The only audience shy, quiet Stanley dances in front of is his pet mice, Squeaker and Nibbles. He also practices when he's alone in empty classrooms or the gym when he helps the janitor after school, tap dancing shuffle, tippy-tap, tippy-tap. "Talent should be shared," encourages Principal Reynolds. Can Stanley find the courage to perform in the school talent show?
MANOLO AND THE UNICORN by Jackie Azua & Jonah Kramer
“A story about seeing and believing wholeheartedly in the extraordinary—unicorns and oneself.”
To Manolo the world is a magical place—a place where he searches for the most magical creature of all: a unicorn. Manolo loves unicorns. When the Wild Animal Parade is announced at school, and Manolo declares that he will come as his favorite animal, his classmates say there is no such thing as unicorns, making the world feel ordinary. That is, until Manolo meets a real unicorn—wild and graceful—and discovers that the world is truly extraordinary.
BRIGHT LIGHTS AND SUMMER NIGHTS by Shauntay Grant
Take a luminous bedtime journey through the summery dreamworld of a restless baby in this enchanting picture book lullaby. In the tradition of bedtime classics like Goodnight Moon, this gorgeous book with a cloth-like spine is the perfect gift for new parents. On a hot summer night, Mother Moon soothes a little star baby who won’t go to sleep. With her magic, she spins a warm, lyrical tale of friendship and fun: a dreamy summer evening set beneath a blanket of twinkling stars as children and forest friends with balloons enjoy a country fair with a carousel and caramel apples before taking a fantastical trolley ride to a marvelous, light-filled destination.
A captivating book, sure to be picked up night after night, that will send all little star babies off to dreamland.
One of the Toronto Public Library’s First and Best of 2025
An Amazon Best Book of June for Ages 3-5 Pick
A Canadian Children’s Book Centre Best Book for Kids and Teens, Fall 2025
“[W]ends from pleasantly pedestrian to fantastical and transcendent; this is the kind of restorative dream one hopes to have.” —STARRED REVIEW, Kirkus Reviews
“Crisp, rhythmic phrasing from Grant and luminous, emerald-hued artwork by Manbeck chart a child’s enchanted summertime dreams in this vividly rendered picture book. . . . As the story zooms back out, a portrait of the child curled up on a cloud warmly invites readers to drift off themselves.” STARRED REVIEW, Publishers Weekly
“The sparse text encourages readers to take in the story slowly and pay attention to every turn of phrase and each star or shadow they see. Bright Lights and Summer Nights is a true lullaby, gently soothing readers to a place where they are ready for an enchanted night’s rest. Reminiscent of classic bedtime stories like Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, this lovely book is a beautiful bedtime story young readers will request night after night. Bright Lights and Summer Nights is a worthy addition to any young child’s bedtime routine.” —STARRED REVIEW, BookPage
“[A] lovely addition to the tradition of bedtime books that imagine a world of excitement and impossible wonders once the sun goes down.” —Booklist
“[A] lyrical bedtime book with golden mixed-media art that depicts a child busy with his toy box who allows himself to be carried off by a magical Mother Moon figure through a starry sky into a dreamlike playland filled with familiar toy characters, where he is finally lulled to sleep.” —Montreal Gazette
Tundra Books | MAY 27, 2025
THE LANGUAGE OF BIRDS by Jon-Erik Lappano
A moving picture book about an anxious girl who can talk to birds but finds it hard to talk to people. When a new boy at school connects with trees the way she does with birds, they begin to form a friendship.
Mira speaks to the birds. As a baby, she napped in the park where starlings gathered. Before she was two, she could mimic the sounds of the doves. Birds have always made sense to Mira, unlike people who are much more confusing. When Mira tries to talk to them, her words remain out of reach. Mostly, people leave her alone.
But when a new boy named Jad comes to school, Mira notices that he understands trees the way she does birds. He’s different. And as they draw together, Mira is able, at last, to make a friend.
Here is a beautiful, layered picture book that speaks to the need for connection and the many forms it can take.
One of Bank Street College of Education’s “Best Children’s Books of the Year” 2026 Edition
“Lush illustrations glow with soft light, inviting readers into a warm world….where it feels safe to follow passions and interact on other terms. A refreshingly quiet story with a lot to say.” —Booklist
“The lush illustrations….capture the feelings in the story and extend the poetic text in this lofty examination of art, companionship, and the natural world.” —The Horn Book
“This touching story of outsiders offers loving reassurance to anyone who has ever felt lonely or unsure of their place in the world.” —School Library Journal