The plan is simple for Lara and her best friends – make the most of their final high school year together before they part ways soon. Too bad secrets won’t let them. A slow start to the school term leads to a steep drop into a rabbit hole of secrets rearing their ugly heads – think a hidden disorder, a predatory relationship, a second family, a shock diagnosis, a resurrected marriage, and more. The anticipated drama-free year goes off the rails as past and present secrets unravel at a breathless pace. The revelations spark a chain of unprecedented reactions that send the four friends reeling as they face impossible choices. They can sacrifice their friendships to keep carefully constructed houses of cards from falling. Or maybe it is past time to rip apart the frail safety nets woven by a pervasive culture of silence. Set in the brawling, cosmopolitan city of Lagos, Nigeria, Once Upon Our Childhood examines the hydra-headed nature of abuse through the raw, insightful, and sometimes, snarky voices of four diverse characters.

Shortlisted for the 2020 Waterstones Children's Book Prize. This magical and fun-filled story about how unicorns got their horns is the first in a new series about how magical creatures came to have their gifts. Do you know how unicorns got their horns? It all began once upon a magic forest, when a little girl called June discovered tiny horses learning how to fly in her garden. But one of the poor horses couldn't fly at all! So, with the help of her parents, June thought of a very sweet and very delicious way to make her new friend happy. I wonder what it could have been... 'A lovely, heart-warming story, beautifully illustrated, with warm, friendly characters' --Parents in Touch 'Themes of kindness, perseverance and never being afraid to ask for help are threaded into this joyful tale full of magic, colour and happiness' --Library Mice Don't miss Beatrice Blue's second book, Once Upon a Dragon's Fire, coming in March 2020!

"A 2010 E.B. White Read-Aloud Honor Award recipient, Denise Doyen's rollicking, rhyming tale with moody, evocative illustrations by award-winner Barry Moser is sure to please children AND adults."

Lizzie, who loves to tell and write stories, is surprised to discover that much of her storytelling inspiration comes from her messy baby brother.

A twisted fairy tale about a king and queen who wish for a child of their own . . . and end up with a baby goat. Perfect for readers of Children Make Terrible Pets and Wolfie the Bunny. "A funny and redemptive fairy tale."--The Wall Street Journal Once upon a time, a very prim and proper king and queen begged their fairy godmother for a child. They'd prefer a boy, with glowing skin, bright eyes, and two roses for lips . . . but any kid will do. When they find themselves gifted with a baby goat (also known as a kid) instead, they can't imagine how he'll fit into their lives. But of course, it isn't long before he's part of the royal family. Readers will delight in this story's hilarity, confusion, and celebration of families that come in every shape and size. "A fresh, amusing, kindhearted picture book."--Booklist, Starred review "With its gentle morals of acceptance, not judging by appearances, and being open to outcomes different than expectations, this is a lovely family read-aloud."--Kirkus "The contrast between the royal couple's once-ordered existence and the cheerful mess at book's end is very funny, and the message about acceptance and the expanded definition of family is a bonus."--Horn Book

Theo is brokenhearted when he accidentally lets go of the string of his party balloon. As he watches it float out of sight, Theo wonders where his balloon might have gone. Luckily, his older brother Zeke knows everything about everything. Zeke explains that it is a little-known fact that all lost balloons end up in Chicago, the Windy City. Then he tells Theo about Frank, who is responsible for collecting all the balloons in the world. Theo is so touched by Frank's story that he decides to send him a message of hope the only way he knows how. A unique story filled with the magic and whimsy of childhood imagination, Once Upon a Balloon will delight young readers and reawaken the child in all of us.

The all-time favorite, now in a sturdy board book. There are 28.9 million children under the age of 5 in the U.S. and all of them will need to be toilet trained. This classic book has already helped millions of parents get their children through a life milestone with ease and some entertainment too. With Once Upon a Potty, a parent reads the book to their child or allows the child to read it while on the potty. Not surprisingly, the book takes some wear. This new board book edition will withstand such heavy use and survive the occasional water spill too. This is THE potty training book. It has it all, bright graphics, simple language, fun story and an anatomically correct hero. With an edition for each gender, the book relates directly to the child, making the potty-training process relatable and easy to understand.

A Retelling of "The Snow Queen" Free-spirited Grace and serious Kai are the best of friends. They grew up together listening to magical tales spun by Kai's grandmother and sharing in each other's secrets. But when they turn sixteen and Kai declares his love for Grace, everything changes. Grace yearns for freedom and slowly begins to push Kai -- and their friendship -- away. Dejected Kai dreams of a dazzling Snow Queen, who entices him to leave home and wander to faraway lands. When Grace discovers Kai is gone, she learns how much she has lost and sets out on a mystical journey to find Kai...and discover herself.

A little girl named Alice opens on a book on a rainy day and travels around the world through its pages.

Darkness looms on the horizon in Once Upon a Childhood, part one of the Windheart Chronicles. Author Elvis Ray opens a window to reveal a world unbound by the rules of our reality. In doing so he shares with us a valuable gift which shows the true meaning of inner strength, loyalty, and the unbreakable bonds of family. Celest Windheart and her brothers are thrown from their world only to find themselves in a vast new one. It is a mysterious world where creatures of legend dwell and new legends are born. In their efforts to get home and escape nightmares cast by the Oblivion King's grasp, the Windhearts stand on the threshold of light and darkness. Drawing on each others' strength, and with the aid of new friends, will the Windhearts find the power to push back the shadows? Come and witness the blossoming of a legend in the first installment of the Windheart Chronicles, Once Upon a Childhood.