Picture Perfect: Announcing the 2014 Spring Season!

We just couldn't wait until the new year to talk about our spring 2014 title list! Okay, maybe that's just me, but I am ridiculously excited about the great children's lineup we have for all you readers, and I'm betting everyone else in the Scarletta office feels the same way.

The year of 2013 saw some amazing children's and adult books rolled out from our imprints, and the birth of our new brand image at Scarletta. It was a fantastic start to what is sure to be an incredible publishing journey, especially with the titles we'll be buzzing about in 2014! So without further ado...

Start by digging in (pun intended, folks!) on March 20, 2014, with Garden to Table: The Kid's Guide to Planting, Growing, and Preparing Food by Katherine Hengel. Kids will fill their plates with fresh, self-sustained produce that comes straight from the garden. Step-by-step planting, care, and harvesting tips, along with step-by-step photos for over 30 delicious recipes made with basil, carrots, green beans, leaf lettuce, potatoes, and tomatoes. Incorporating unique flavors and easy-to-grow veggies, these simple recipes will have you asking for seconds!

You met Monster in fall 2013, and if you're a normal or abnormal person, immediately fell in love with him. He's giant, blue, hairy, and cavorts around with the energy of a four year old thanks to talented illustrator Wendy Grieb. Well, Paul Czajak's adorable Monster & Me™ series continues on April 8, 2014, with Monster Needs His Sleep. In Czajak and Grieb's second collaboration, it's time for bed, and Monster needs to go to sleep. But he just keeps finding more things to stay awake for! It isn't until Monster admits he is afraid of the dark that he finds a glowing solution to his nightmare problem.

A picture book series not quite your style? Looking for something older? Fan of adventure and fantasy series? Then have we got something for you! That may have been too cheesy of a build up, but seriously, middle-grade readers will love our new Tristan Hunt and the Sea Guardians series by Ellen Prager. The Shark Whisperer, book one, is an action-packed story of adventure, fantasy, and humor that reveals the wonders of the ocean. After falling into a pool of sharks, things for awkward Tristan Hunt begin to look up. Tristan is invited to an ocean-themed summer camp in the Florida Keys where he discovers that he and his fellow campers have very rare talents when it comes to the ocean. After the camp receives a distress call from ocean animals, the Sea Guardians get pulled into a daring rescue in the Bahamas. With the help of sharks, dolphins, a quick-escape artist octopus, and some seabird bombers, the campers must use their talents in an attempt to outwit an evil shark-finning, reef-blasting billionaire.

We'll keep on the animal theme and finish out the spring 2014 season with another adorable picture book, If An Armadillo Went to a Restaurant by Ellen Fischer, and illustrated by Laura Wood. Would an armadillo order spaghetti with meatballs if she went to a restaurant? No way! She would like a plate of ants and worms. Little ones will slurp, munch, and crunch their way through this delightful book about animal diets and habitats. In the end, you might find yourself asking just what you might like to order.


Think these books are awesome? Guess what...they're all available for pre-order from your favorite book vendor! Might we also suggest these books as great for your 2014 book lists? If you love them, tell us about it with a customer review (and tell your bookseller too so they can keep recommending our quality books to other readers!).

Announcing the Release of Nalah and the Pink Tiger!

We're happy to announce that the day has finally arrived! Our very first picture book, Nalah and the Pink Tiger by Anne Sawyer-Aitch, is officially available online and in bookstores across the country. 

In this adorable picture book, Nalah is a rambunctious little girl who lives so intensely in her own imagination that grownups view her as a troublemaker. Things come to head when—in addition to all of the other exotic animals Nalah has placed in the house—a pink tiger "follows" her home from the zoo, and creates havoc. 

Here are some of the great things people have been saying about Nalah and the Pink Tiger:

"… A great book for kids, and one that parents will enjoy reading more than once as well." — Open Hands Blog

"What a gorgeous book! The vibrant illuminated illustrations draw the reader into the playful story. A mischievous young girl, Nalah creates an array of imaginary animals including Tico the Pink Tiger, who might be as lively as she is.Nalah and the Pink Tiger is great to read aloud. It's also a wonderful book to pore over and enjoy the intricate artwork again and again." — Elizabeth Larson, Youth Services Librarian Hopkins Library, Minnesota

"A charming story...Nalah has populated her world with whimsical and expressive playmates who may be wild, yet not scary....Sawyer-Aitch's energetic color palette makes this fun book a gem." — Carol Frisch, Retired Director of Motheread Fatheread, MN Humanities Commission

"Anne has found a way to contain her vibrant performance creativity between the covers of a book—Open any page and you'll hear the story calling your own imagination to stretch as wide as Nalah's!" — Debra Frasier, Author & Illustrator of On the Day You Were Born

“The story reminded me a bit of Sarah Weeks’ If I Were a Lion or even Where the Wild Things Are…” — Proper Noun Blog

"My 7 year old daughter and 10 year old son both read this one repeatedly. The story is funny and lively and transgressive, and the densely gorgeous illustrations reward a lot of close attention." —Sara, on Goodreads

"This is a wonderful story of an imaginative young girl. We were given the book as a gift and my two kids (ages 7 and 9) loved it! The illustrations are amazing and the story is fun and engaging. We then got the iPad app and love that too! It is great fun listening to both the English and Spanish versions of the book. If you and your kids enjoy fun characters, vivid pictures, and unique stories you will truly love this book. I know we do!"—Allison on Goodreads

"My son loves this book. His favorite is to be the voice of all the imaginary animals in Nalah's life. I love the illuminated illustrations--they're beautiful and one of a kind." —Zoe on Goodreads

"A fun book about imagination.  Very vivid." —Sara, Page Appropriate 

We're so excited to share this great picture book with everyone. Happy reading! 

A Preview of What's to Come: 2013 Books

New years are a time for new resolutions, new beginnings, new relationships, new... everything. For us, 2013 is going to be an exciting year. After all, this past year was full of exciting changes for us, including a new website, new logos, new staff members, and new imprints. This year, as we may have mentioned before, we are expanding our list and publishing more titles than we ever have. And instead of keeping it all to ourselves, we thought we'd share a bit about what's coming out soon and what we're working on for later in the year. Take a look and let us know which one you're most excited about!

SPRING 2013

Nalah and the Pink Tiger (March 12)
By Anne Sawyer-Aitch



Nalah and the Pink Tiger is about a rambunctious little girl who lives so intensely in her imagination that grown-ups view her as a troublemaker. Things come to a head when, in addition to all the exotic animals that Nalah has “placed” in the house, a pink tiger “follows” her home from the zoo and creates havoc. 

Nalah and the Pink Tiger also takes the form of a puppet show put on by the author/illustrator in both English and Spanish versions.

Find out more from the book's website, download the app, or keep up to date by liking the Facebook page. 







A Day at the Lake (March 20)
by Stephanie Wallingford and Dawn Rynders, illustrated by Erica Pelton Villnave 



Flippity flop and splash your way through this colorful trip to the lake. Jump in with your senses and play with rhymes as you experience the waves, the boats, and the many animals. This cheery book follows three children as they enjoy the simple pleasures and rare glimpses that nature offers us around the lake.

A Day at the Lake is told using all five senses, and teaches children vowels and sound effects. Contemporary, large, and brightly colored illustrations bring this story to life. Simple, short text leaves much to the reader's imagination as they experience their own day at the lake.

Like the book's Facebook page for all sorts of lake facts and fun!











Betsy's Day at the Game (April 9)
by Greg Bancroft, illustrated by Katherine Blackmore



Betsy loves hanging out with her grandfather, especially at the ballpark. Today is another game day, and Betsy is ready to show her grandpa all she's learned about keeping score. Best of all, some exciting things are about to happen at today's game. As the anticipation builds, Betsy keeps track of it all—foul balls, home runs, and favorite players.

This heartwarming story about a family tradition and America's favorite pastime includes a fully illustrated scorecard. With great illustrations, Betsy's Day at the Game teaches kids how to fill out a scorecard, and encourages them to share their memories with their families.

And if you love baseball, the Betsy's Day at the Game Facebook page is for you.

Reviews for The Ice Castle

The official release date of Pendred Noyce's newest Lexicon Adventures book was only yesterday, but already the praise is piling up! We're so excited that everyone is loving this book as much as we do that we thought we would just highlight some of the lovely things people have had to say.



In a 4-star review, Marilyn at Compass Book Ratings said:
"THE ICE CASTLE, the second book in the Lexicon Adventures series, has many necessary ingredients that would entice young readers, i.e. adventure, fantasy, family member who don't get along, social commentary and a unique emphasis on music....Young adults will recognize that it reflects the real world they live in and will be able to see the social implications." Read the rest of the review here.

***** Teresa Bateman from Keen Readers said:
"There are puzzles to solve, traitors to catch, and friendships to forge. This is a well-written, thoughtful fantasy book that addresses issues of equality while providing interesting musical insights. Besides, it’s a great adventure!" You can read the rest of the review here.

***** And Denise LeBlanc, Director of Learning Experiences at The Discovery Museums called The Ice Castle:
"a beautiful symphony in which Ivan, Daphne, and Lila face various challenges and come to learn about themselves, one another, and human nature. This beautifully orchestrated book will delight and captivate readers of all ages."

You can find The Ice Castle: An Adventure in Music on Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble, or through your favorite independent bookstore on IndieBound. Happy reading!

Book Release & Puppet Show Premiere

It's here! The book release and puppet show premiere of Nalah and the Pink Tiger, Scarletta Kids' first foray into picture books! The party starts at 10 am this Saturday, March 17, 2012 at the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre. The show will be performed again at 12 pm.
Nalah and the Pink Tiger is about a rambunctious little girl, Nalah, who lives so intensely in her imagination that grown-ups view her as a troublemaker. To illustrate the book, author Anne Sawyer-Aitch developed a style that she calls illuminated illustration, featuring multiple layers and backlighting that create vibrant, textured pages.
To accompany the book, Anne has created a traveling, one-person, shadow puppet show following the book’s story line. This was made possible with various partnerships with local artists.