Carolrhoda Books is an imprint of the Lerner Publishing Group. It has been publishing high-quality, award-winning books since 1969. The picture books spark children’s imaginations and offer new ways of looking at the world. The middle-grade books stand out not only for their quality, but also for the breadth of genres encompassed, from coming-of-age stories to exceptional nonfiction to mysteries. Carolrhoda authors and illustrators have been honored with awards such as the Coretta Scott King Book Award, the Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal, and the Jane Addams Children’s Book Award. The Carolrhoda title Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre was named a Caldecott Honor Book in 2022. The belief underlying all Carolrhoda Books is that all children should be able to find themselves in the pages of a book.
Kate Hosford & Gabi Swiatkowska Infinity and Me When I looked up, I shivered. How many stars were in the sky? A million? A billion? Maybe the number was as big as infinity. I started to feel very, very small. How could I even think about something as big as infinity? Uma can’t help feeling…
Monica Rojas & Luisa Uribe Patchwork Memories A child loves that her Abuela lives with her family, but Abuela’s memory isn’t what it used to be. Sometimes she’ll start telling stories and won’t be able to finish them. Eventually, the time comes for her to move out. Home feels lonely without Abuela. However, when the…
Lisa Wheeler and Barry Gott Dino-Helpers When things go wrong, look for the Dino-Helpers! This dino-neighborhood is home to crossing guards, veterinarians, nurses, park rangers, and more. And day or night, they’re always ready to lend a helping hand. Whether they’re finding lost puppies or fixing traffic jams, these dinos are here to save the…
Lisa Wheeler and Barry Gott Dino-Earth Day The world needs help to keep it clean. / It’s Dino-Earth Day . . . let’s go green! Upbeat rhyming verse from Lisa Wheeler and playful illustrations from Barry Gott present many different ways to take care of the planet. The dinos ride bikes and scooters, clean up…
Lupe Ruiz-Flores Paloma Joins the Circus A story of following your dreams and growing into new ones, of finding home in the people around you, and of creating something beautiful through hard work and perseverance. Twelve-year-old Paloma comes from “circus people”―a family of performers traveling around Texas with la carpa, a Mexican American tent show….
Katey Howes & Elizabet Vuković Take It Apart Breaking things down is a science. An art. / Need solutions? Need answers? Just . . . take it apart! This rhyming picture book joyfully celebrates the many benefits of breaking big things down into smaller pieces. From gathering spare parts for fixing things to learning math…
Katey Howes & Elizabet Vuković Be A Maker How many things can you make in a day? A tower, a friend, a change? Rhyme, repetition, and a few seemingly straightforward questions engage young readers in a discussion about the many things we make—and the ways we can make a difference in the world. This simple,…
Marie Miranda Cruz A Boy Called Hero Twelve-year-old Hero Del Rosario isn’t happy about staying with his grandfather in the Philippines while the rest of his family takes a trip back to the States. He’s always been the overlooked one, the one who gets left behind, the one who—despite his name—is nothing special. But when…
Ashley Granillo Choir Grrrl Thirteen-year-old Alondra was born into a musical family. Her dad, the former frontman of a famous alt-rock band, expects her and her sisters to follow in his footsteps. The girls have formed their own band, which will open for their dad during his comeback tour. Despite secretly liking quieter music, Alondra…
Florence Migga The Summer Scrap Book Ava, Becca, and Cat have always been inseparable. But the summer after eighth grade, they’re forced to spend two months apart. Outgoing Ava is dragged to London by her family. Anxious Becca is sent to summer camp. Quiet Cat is left at home. Phones aren’t allowed at Becca’s camp,…
John Coy & Phung Nguyen Quang The World Game – Soccer Circles the Globe Thwaack! Whummpp! Klangg! From a park in the United States to a pitch in India, from the seaside in Nigeria to a stadium in Uruguay, there’s one game that brings the world together. Whether you call it football, soccer, or any…
Lupe Ruiz-Flores The Pecan Sheller In 1930s San Antonio, thirteen-year-old Petra dreams of going to college and becoming a writer. But with her beloved father dead, two younger siblings to care for, and with a stepmother struggling to make ends meet, Petra has to drop out of school to shell pecans at a factory. Hoping…
Stephanie V. W. Lucianovic & Chris Park Touch the Sky Vern longs to be one of the kids who swoop until their toes touch the sky. He heads to the swings and desperately tries to pump his legs, but he just can’t get it. A chance encounter with precocious (and hilarious) Gretchen gives him just…
Beth Mills No More Gnomes Herbert is the politest kid in town. He has a medal and everything! But when Ms. Goat, his neighbor and after-school babysitter, starts collecting garden gnomes, things take a turn for the worse. Those gnomes won’t stop staring at him. How rude! How can Herbert tell Ms. Goat the truth about…
Lisa Wheeler and Barry Gott Dino-School Welcome to the school year dino-style! Dino-kids have fun all through the year, from the fall fling and the spelling bee to the 100th day of school and track-and-field day! Carolrhoda Books Picture Book Age 5+ 32 pp hc | 274 x 229 mm Publication: August 2025 Author: Lisa…
Lisa Wheeler and Barry Gott Dino-Birthday Playful rhyming verse from Lisa Wheeler and action-packed illustrations from Barry Gott highlight four dino birthday parties in four different seasons. Each party has a kid-friendly theme, and there are presents, cake, and lots of games for everyone! Carolrhoda Books Picture Book Age 5+32 pp hc | 274 x…
Shafaq Khan Zeyna Lost and Found In 1970, twelve-year-old Zeyna has grown up in London but has never quite felt like she fits in. Her monotonous life is suddenly interrupted when Zeyna’s parents decide to visit their native Pakistan―where Zeyna feels she doesn’t fit in either. But then her parents disappear, leaving behind a string…
Beth Mills Ella McKeen, Kickball Queen In her debut picture book, Beth Mills offers a pitch-perfect look at recess, friendship, and being a good sport. First grader Ella McKeen is the undisputed kickball queen until a new girl named Riya shows up—and shows her up at recess. How does Ella handle losing? By throwing herself on the…
Chris Monroe String Ball A crafty child, a string ball, a curious kitten, an unforgettable adventure When a curious kitten encounters its young owner’s string ball craft project, an amazing adventure ensues! The kitten squeezes inside the ball and begins to roll . . . right out the open front door. Yikes! Kitten and ball…
Kao Kalia Yang & Jiemei Lin The Rock in My Throat At first, no one noticed when I stopped talking at school. In this moving true story, Kao Kalia Yang shares her experiences as a young Hmong refugee navigating life at home and at school. Having seen the poor treatment her parents received when making…
Bob Raczka & Simone Shin Niko Draws a Feeling Niko loves to draw his world: the ring-a-ling of the ice cream truck, the warmth of sun on his face. But no one appreciates his art. Until one day, Niko meets Iris . . . This imaginative and tender story explores the creative process, abstract art,…
Chris Monroe Monkey with a Tool Belt Inspiration for the Netflix series Chico Bon Bon! Whether you need a beebersaw or a chisel, Chico Bon Bon’s your monkey. He can build or fix just about anything—from a dock for the ducks to a clock for the Clucks, even a small roller coaster for local chipmunks….