Gift&TradeSpring2026

74 PICTURE BOOKS ISBN 978-0-7643-7072-4 ISBN: 978-0-7643-7072-4 $18 99, £1799, 26 99 CAD hardcover • 32 pp • 11" x 9" (279 x 229 mm) 18 color images AVAILABLE FEBRUARY 2026 The Night Artists By Joan Waites When sun’s pink paint blends into inky blue, The night artists gather to perform. Spiders pull back lace curtains. Moon’s light floods the stage. Inspired by nature, this creative nonfiction picture book invites children to discover various animals and insects that are active at night in a woodland environment. Likening the noc­ turnal creatures to artists in an enchanting performance that takes place while we’re asleep, this lyrical story engages young readers to learn about and explore nature in a fun and creative way. Educational backmatter further encourages readers to explore and learn more about the creatures referenced in the story. Key Features: • An array of "artists": Spotlighted animals and insects include tree frogs, spiders, owls, fireflies, moths, crickets, cicadas, mosquitos, and bats. • Bonus educational content: Following the story, a special section presents interesting facts about nocturnal animals and nature at nighttime. • Gorgeous collage-style illustrations: Each element on the page was cut from hand-painted/printed papers and glued down piece by piece to create the book’s art. With stunning illustrations, charming text, and educational content, this picture book is both an ideal bedtime story and a perfect complement to elementary curriculum on nocturnal animals and insects and their environment. ISBN: 978-0-7643-7073-1 $19 99, £18 99, 26 99 CAD hardcover • 32 pp • 9" x 9" (229 x 229 mm) 23 color images AVAILABLE MARCH 2026 Mermaid Candy A Sea Glass Adventure By Ashley Regina Lucas ISBN 978-0-7643-7073-1 One day, a sweet little mermaid discovers frosty glass pieces in her underwater cove. Their range of pretty colors— cotton candy blue! caramel brown! juicy lime! —inspires her to dub them “Mermaid Candy,” but she realizes that they do not belong in the ocean. Despite their beautiful appearance, these treasures are actually remnants of trash that is polluting the ocean and endangering underwater creatures. The mermaid rallies her merbunny friends to pull off a creative solution that protects the ocean and its marine life, while enchanting beachcombers on the shore. Key Features: • Adorable, kawaii-influenced illustrations blend watercolor painting with photographs of real sea glass. • The multifaceted tale incorporates themes of history, nature, ocean preservation, and mythical beings. • A delightful cast of characters includes a mermaid, merbunnies, marine life, and rascally squirrels. • The story's environmental lesson teaches young readers what sea glass is and how picking it up helps the health and happiness of the ocean. • Educational back matter shares fun facts about sea glass and how to find it. Children and beachcombers of all ages will adore this imaginative adventure into the world of sea glass. Ashley Regina Lucas creates whimsical sea glass art and coastal décor for her business, Sook & Hook (www.sookandhook.com) . Ashley has never met a beach she didn’t like. She lives with her family on the Jersey Shore and creates artwork and coastal content from dawn to dusk. Joan Waites is an award-winning author-illustrator of numerous titles for the children’s trade and educational markets. A former adjunct faculty member of the Corcoran Museum School of Art and Design’s aspiring-artists programs, Joan continues to teach art enrichment for children and adults. She lives in Silver Spring, Maryland.