The world was too bright for Leo. And too loud. "I must be living on the wrong planet," Leo thought. Leo struggles to make sense of the world. He doesn't understand the other children in his class, and they don't seem to understand him. But then one day, Leo meets Maya. Maya is an octopus, and the more Leo learns about her, the more he thinks that perhaps he isn't alone in this world, after all. "The sensitive descriptions throughout the book of what it is like to have autism are accurate and perceptive on so many levels" (Professor Tony Attwood, author of Asperger's Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals).

Four separate stories celebrate the many-legged friendship between Squid and Octopus as they disagree over how to stay warm, encourage each other, and fret over the contents of a fortune cookie. Full color.

A young boy dreams about becoming all the animals he reads about, including a big, strong elephant, a splashing penguin, and a twisted-up octopus.

To the outside world, Roxanne seems terribly lonely: her husband Earl has passed away, and her daughter Linda was murdered. What people don’t understand is that Earl and Linda are still keeping Roxanne company, reincarnated in the forms of a wiener dog and standard poodle. But this relationship—not idyllic, it’s true, but at least relatively harmonious—is disrupted when Roxanne accidentally hits a pit bull with her car. On the precipice of having the dog put down, she recognizes the eyes of her daughter’s killer, Helmut. Should she choose retribution, or forgiveness? This is the highly original set-up of “You’re Home Now,” the opening story in Rachel Rose’s debut work of fiction. These are clever, engaging stories with a compelling link: the characters, generally living on the fringes of society for some reason or another, all have better relationships with animals than with other humans. There’s a diverse range of creatures, with stories featuring a parrot, an octopus, rats, a chameleon, a pig (Francis Bacon), deer and bats, as well as the more traditional dogs and a pair of kittens named Yin and Yang. The stories in The Octopus Has Three Hearts combine vivid characters and original premises with Rose’s trademark combination of whimsy and irony to explore universal elements of the human condition, from parenthood to sexuality, identity to fidelity. It is a collection that will appeal to animal lovers, readers of literary fiction and anyone looking for their place to belong.

“A fearful ghost, a take-charge girl, an interracial friendship, and a tale in which fear is . . . sweetly tied to positive qualities of imagination.” —The New York Times You would like being friends with Leo. He likes to draw, he makes delicious snacks, and most people can't even see him. Because Leo is also a ghost. When a new family moves into his home and Leo's efforts to welcome them are misunderstood, Leo decides it is time to leave and see the world. That is how he meets Jane, a kid with a tremendous imagination and an open position for a worthy knight. That is how Leo and Jane become friends. And that is when their adventures begin. This charming tale of friendship—from two of the best young minds in picture books: the author of the Caldecott Honor–winning Extra Yarn and the illustrator of the Bologna Ragazzi Award–winning Josephine—is destined to become a modern classic that will delight readers for years to come. “Enchanting.” —The Washington Post “A whimsical tale from Barnett aptly accompanied by enthralling artwork by Robinson.” —School Library Journal, starred review “A tender, touching story of friendship and the power of imagination.” —Booklist, starred review “Warm and wise.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review “This deceptively simple story examines deep themes of perception and truth, friendship and loyalty.” —Shelf Awareness, starred review “A pleasure to read aloud.” —Wall Street Journal “There is nothing spooky about this moving story of friendship, acceptance, and belonging.” —Boston Globe A New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year

Learn all about starfish, who can regrow a lost arm! Includes information about starfish bodies, habitat, food, and life cycle.

In this graphic novel for early middle readers, two young sleuths must figure out why their sleepy seaside town is being overrun by monsters.