I have two picture book biographies coming out with Red Comet Press but not until next year. In the meantime, I’m so excited about Red Comet Press’s latest offerings!
We are also doing a 5 book giveaway. Five winners can each pick a book of their choice from the Spring 2023 catalog! To enter, please use the Rafflecopter at the bottom. Enjoy!
Red Comet Press Spring 2023 Books
Yellow Butterfly: A Story from Ukraine by Oleksandr Shatokhin
If you need a book to discuss the Ukraine war with small children, this is my pick. In my town, we have Ukrainian refugees that our community is helping to settle. For children from Ukraine coming to a new country, this is a story that would make them feel seen and heard. Yellow Butterfly is a wordless picture book, making the story accessible even for children learning English as a second language. A young girl is living in a war-torn country and finds a yellow butterfly, a symbol of hope amid the darkness and destruction that bombs have brought to her country. The yellow butterfly is also a symbol also represents the resilience of her country, Ukraine. Author and illustrator Oleksandr Shatokhin lives in Kyiv, Ukraine where he uses his art to advocate for peace. This is a powerful and uplifting story that can be used to explain war. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Gustav & Henri: Tiny Aunt Island by Andy Matthews, illustrated by Peader Thomas
Henri is careful and precise. Gustav is impetuous and adventurous. They are the best of friends and end up on sweet and zany adventures. Gustav, Lost Pig is a rafting adventure gone awry, landing them on an island. But what kind of island is this exactly? This is where spelling counts! Desert Island or Dessert Island?? The extra “s” is going to really make a difference! Gustav, Micro-Pig is a “Honey, I’ve Shrunk the Kids” adventure that starts off with a puzzle piece that goes down the kitchen drain but turns into a hostage situation that Henri rescues them from using her amazing STEM invention skills. Finally, in Detective Gustav and the Great-Aunt Hunt, the two friends must crack secret codes to find Henri’s Great-Aunt at her seemingly haunted mansion. These stories are laced with gentle humor and model what friendship should look like. [graphic novel chapter book, ages 7 and up] Out March 7, 2023
Too Many Rabbits by Davide Calì, illustrated by Emanuele Benetti, translated by Angus Yuen-Killick
When Owen and Zoey get Dad to buy them a pet, they end up with two rabbits that quickly multiply into too many bunnies. They decide to give some away, and the story shifts into a Counting to 20 concept book that also includes 210 rabbits that find a new home. This is a clever and entertaining way to teach numbers, counting, and exponential growth! [picture book, ages 4 and up] Out March 14, 2023
Apple Pie Picnic by 
Alicia Duran, illustrated by Brian Fitzgerald
Riffing off This is the House That Jack Built, this is a Spanish version centered around an apple tree and the important role it plays in bringing the family together for an apple pie picnic. This picture book does some heavy lifting, including introducing Spanish words, the four seasons, and the growth cycle of an apple from flower to fruit. And, best of all, it’s wrapped, like a warm hug, around a loving multigenerational Latinx family that also busts stereotypes. [picture book with Spanish words, ages 4 and up] Out March 21, 2023
My Mom is a Lioness by Swapna Haddow, illustrated by Dapo Adeola
A companion to My Dad is a Grizzly Bear, this picture book is out in time for Mother’s Day! My Mom is a Lioness depicts mom as a strong woman, protective, on the hunt, part of a pride, but most of all, mighty! I think most moms would agree that a lioness, like them, is a fierce mother worthy of comparison. I also like how this picture book depicts a mixed-race family where ethnicity is not the point of the story. I’m looking forward to the third book in this series … the little sister has a fearsome bite. Crocodile? Alligator? I can’t wait to find out! [picture book, ages 4 and up] Out April 4, 2023
Peng’s Vase: A Chinese Folktale adapted by Angus & Michael Yuen-Killick, illustrated by Paolo Proietti
Peng’s Vase is a Chinese folktale about honesty. What stands out about this picture book is the spectacular illustrations that showcase a soft and harmonious color palette. I especially liked the pages where the right side was white and the left side which had a background color had an element that carried onto the white page such as the sunflower stem. Speaking as an Asian parent with the possibility of one’s child becoming the next emperor, not enough is said about the wisdom of Peng’s parents who were the antithesis of Tiger Parents! Instead of berating their child for not producing a plant, they gently guide their son to take pride in his effort and hard work, and not be focused on the end result. That’s wisdom! [picture book, ages 4 and up] Out April 11, 2023
Walter Finds His Voice: The Story of a Shy Crocodile by Ann Kim Ha
This picture book reminds me of Ferdinand the Bull + Frederick by Leo Lioni. It feels like an instant classic about a crocodile who hides in the water because he’s shy. But when his friend, Turtle needs help, he finds his voice. And, it’s not just his speaking voice, it’s his singing voice! This is a beautifully illustrated picture book with a gentle and humorous message sure to delight young readers. [picture book, ages 3 and up] Out May 2, 2023
Is This Bus For Us? by Harriet Ziefert, illustrated by Richard Brown
I personally am not very proficient at taking the bus. My first experience was in college when I took the wrong bus and ended up in the wrong direction. After that, I swore off buses and relied solely on the subway station. If only I had this book growing up, the bus system would have made a lot more sent to me!!
Leo and his sisters wait for the bus, but their bus is blue. The red bus is going to the farm … and it’s fancifully driven by sheep and filled with farm animals! The yellow bus is going to the aquarium … and a large fish is behind the wheel driving a water-filled busload of sea creatures. My favorite bus is the one going to the Museum of Natural History! Is This the Bus for Us? is perfect for city dwellers who take the bus daily and non-bus riders. In fact, it should be required reading for non-bus riders! [picture book, ages 3 and up] Out June 6, 2023
Roll Roll Little Pea by Cécile Bergame, illustrated by Magali Attiogbé, translated by Angus Yuen-Killick
Little Pea rolls away from the bowl in the kitchen and goes on an adventure, passing many hungry creatures who would like a nibble. Instead, Little Pea gets gobbled up by the earth. The seasons pass, and soon Little Pea is back. But this time, Little Pea isn’t so little anymore. The graphic nature of the illustrations shines in this colorful and engaging book. The illustrator has the perfect balance of simple shapes, bright colors, and playful details. This book is a feast for the eyes! [picture book, ages 3 and up] Out June 6, 2023
I Really Want to Make Lemonade! by Harriet Ziefert
Really Bird finds lemons in the park and really wants to make lemonade with friends, Cat and Bird. They work together to make a unique lemonade which they share with others who are cleaning up the park. This is a sweet and gentle story about teamwork, compromise, and doing good. Fans of Elephant and Piggie will enjoy this charming series. [easy reader, ages 5 and up] Out May 2, 2023
5 Red Comet Book Giveaway!
We are also doing a 5 book giveaway. Five winners can each pick a book of their choice from the Spring 2023 catalog! To enter, please use the Rafflecopter below. We can only mail to U.S. and A.F.O. addresses.
Red Comet Press is a small independent children’s publisher providing a home for talented creators who seek a boutique experience and the personal touch of a passionate publisher. Their books provide a rich storytelling experience that will ignite the imagination of readers. To learn more, check out their website, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
p.s. Related posts:
Red Comet Press Books out Fall 2022
Introducing Red Comet Press Children’s Books
Highlights from 2022 USBBY in Nashville
Announcing #ReadYourWorld Book Jam 2023 Line Up!
Picture Books to Understand the Ukraine War & GIVEAWAY! // #ReadYourWorld Book Jam 2023
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My books:
Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World
- Junior Library Guild Gold selection
- Selected as one of 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023 by dPICTUS and featured at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair
- Starred review from School Library Journal
- Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
- Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids
Amazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Scholastic / Signed or Inscribed by Me
I don’t see the rafflecopter form
Me either
Ben’s Trumpet
I like the Symphony music book
Ben’s Trumpet
“What are your favorite children’s books about jazz or music?”
We very much like “The Bear and the Piano” by David Litchfield.
What great-looking Red Comet Press books! We’ve checked out the first “Gustav & Henri” book from the local public library!
What a fabulous collection of new releases! I’m looking forward to reading many of these. I know the readers at my school would especially like the Gustav & Henri book.