KidsFall2026

16 Recently Released Ashley Regina Lucas creates whimsical sea glass art and coastal décor for her busi- ness, 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. Nancy Viau is the author of award-winning picture books and middle-grade novels. A former teacher and librarian, she enjoys visiting schools and sharing her love of writing and reading with children of all ages. She lives in Williamstown, New Jersey. Find her on Instagram (@NancyViau1) or at www.NancyViau.com. ISBN 978-0-7643-7075-5 ISBN 978-0-7643-7073-1 This charming picture book about a mermaid and her underwater friends teaches young readers what sea glass is and how picking it up helps the health and happiness of the ocean. 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. Adorable, kawaii-influenced illustrations blend watercolor painting with photographs of real sea glass, accompanying the story’s environmental lesson. Featuring a delightful cast of char- acters, including a mermaid, merbunnies, marine life, and rascally squirrels, this imaginative adventure into the world of sea glass will be enjoyed by children and beachcombers of all ages. In this humorous picture book, a determined boy has big plans for a special day with his grandmother—but adventurous Gram has ideas of her own! Young Mateo is excited to hang out with his grandmother, and he has carefully prepared a list of activities that he thinks are exactly right for sweet, old Gram—complete with leisurely walks, lots of rest, and carefully selected foods. However, Mateo soon realizes that Gram has her own way of interpreting his list. One by one, she debunks his expectations, encourages him to be more active, and leads him on a series of unexpected, new adventures. A celebration of multigenerational family bonds, the story encourages grandparents and grandchildren to share interests and adventures and to truly get to know each other. Charm- ing, detailed illustrations pair with funny dialogue and situational humor for a fun, playful tale that is perfect for kindhearted kids and young-at-heart grandparents. Mermaid Candy A Sea Glass Adventure By Ashley Regina Lucas Hanging Out with Gram By Nancy Viau, Illustrated by Amanda Lenz 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 Ages 4–8 years • Lexile: 920 978-0-7643-7075-5 $16.99, £15.99, 22.99 CAD hardcover • 32 pp. • 11" x 8.5" (279 x 216 mm) 26 color illustrations Ages 4–8 years • Lexile: 480 Informed by more than 10 years of professional graphic design experience, Amanda Lenz brings adventure, charm, and color into every illustration and design to inform, engage, and delight. Amanda resides in Boulder, Colorado. Find her on Instagram (@lenzillustration) or visit www.lenzillustration.com.