Books by Jill Esbaum

Stanza

by Jill Esbaum

There's a slobbery thug in town, and his name is Stanza. He bullies everybody. He eats chicken pot pie. And . . . he writes poetry. On the sly. At night. Because he’s extremely afraid his bully brothers will find out. But Stanza doesn't let that stop him from entering one of his poems into a jingle contest. Does he win? Well, what if he did . . . not?

Ste-e-e-e-eamboat a-Comin'!

by Adam Rex, Jill Esbaum

Go back in time to a sleepy Mississippi River town

The townfolk of a small village on the banks of the upper Mississippi come vividly alive at the sound of a whistle and the holler of "Ste-e-e-e-eamboat a-comin'!" The incoming vessel is filled with passengers and cargo, and at a rapid speed, things are unloaded and loaded - but before you know it, the village is once again at its previous sleepy pace.

Inspired by Mark Twain's Life on the Mississippi, Jill Esbaum has crafted a skillful, spare poem, and Adam Rex has created gorgeous paintings that do homage to Norman Rockwell. Ste-e-e-e-eamboat a-Comin'! is a 2006 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

Tom's Tweet

by Jill Esbaum

Tom is on the hunt for a tasty morning treat when he spies a flip-flapping, fluttery bird just there for the taking. Hello, breakfast! But little Tweet with his big black button eyes is too skinny to eat. Tom is determined to not get involved, but he can't just leave Tweet there . . . frightened, unhappy, alone. Consarn it! It's just Tom's luck to get stuck with a Tweet!

I Am Cow, Hear Me Moo!

by Jill Esbaum

While showing her timid gal pals the wonders of the woods, brave Nadine the cow discovers that she is not entirely fearless.

I Hatched!

by Jill Esbaum

From the illustrator of Little Pea comes a gleeful, goofy, gorgeous celebration of being new, curious, and ready to take on the world--perfect for fans of Duck and Goose

A baby chick bursts from his egg and into the world with hilarious enthusiasm, awe, and I-can't-help-myself energy, capturing babies' delight in new discovery and parents' joy in this amazing new person. Rompy, rhyming text evokes the zeal of a toddler who's eager for everything. And Jen Corace's gorgeous artwork is alive with critters and curiosities and surprises--the biggest of which? The hatching of a new baby sister, to the absolute delight of her now "expert" big brother!

Breathless, breathtaking, and downright funny, this story is sure to find fans in new moms, toddlers, and big brothers and sisters too.

Go Wild! Sea Turtles

by Jill Esbaum

Welcome to the wild world of sea turtles! In this intro to the species, youngsters discover where on Earth this reptile lives, what it eats, and how big it grows. Cool photos of all the different kinds of sea turtles and adorable photos of just-hatched turtle babies bring the creatures into full focus. After learning the basics, young readers will learn why sea turtles need our help and what people around the world are doing to help save them. Filled with fun facts, games, and an activity focused on making a difference in sea turtles' world, Go Wild! will inspire kids to care about this swimmingly cute animal.

Apples for Everyone (Picture the Seasons)

by Jill Esbaum

Apples for Everyone is a new picture book in the Picture the Seasons series that the whole family can enjoy. This attractive and educational companion to the best-selling titles A Tree for All Seasons and Pilgrims of Plymouth features stunning National Geographic photography and a stimulating, accessible text.

Apples! The very word conjures up images of fall: ripe red apples falling off the tree as the leaves begin their glorious extravaganza of color change; baskets of gathered fruits at the foot of laddered orchards; the rich aroma of an apple-pie cooling. As school starts again, an apple for the teacher is a time-honored tradition. Apples are coated in candy or caramel to celebrate the end-of-year holidays. They are crushed into cider to keep us warm around a fire as summer slips away and the first hint of frost chills the darkening nights. In this beautifully produced book, apples are more than just fruit, they are iconic of everything fall.

Apples for Everyone is a seasonal treasure that will help to shape a National Geographic view of the world for young readers. This delightful look at the fruit of fall is sure to inspire a rich appreciation of all things autumnal.

Seed, Sprout, Pumpkin, Pie (Picture the Seasons)

by Jill Esbaum

Seed, Sprout, Pumpkin, Pie follows Apples for Everyone in the Picture the Seasons series. This beautifully photographed picture book about everybody’s favorite fall treat is sure to please kids both young and old. The glossy, festive images and lively text are sure to get your family in the mood to celebrate the season.

Pumpkins! Who can resist the sight of big, round, orange pumpkins ripening in a field? Children piling off school buses to pick one out. Carving out funny faces, smiles, or scary frowns to illuminate Halloween doorsteps. Making room for that last piece of pumpkin pie after a delicious Thanksgiving feast. In this book, pumpkins aren’t just a fruit, they’re a symbol, a scent, a flavor of the entire season.

Celebrate the flavor of fall on every page of this beautifully photographed picture book. Follow along as National Geographic takes you from seed to sprout, pumpkin to pie. Envelope yourself, your family, or your class in the season by reading and learning all about pumpkins.

National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Who (National Geographic Little Kids First Big Books)

by Jill Esbaum

Introduce young readers to some of the world's most interesting and important people in this bold and lively first biography book. More than 100 colorful photos are paired with age-appropriate text featuring profiles of each person, along with fascinating facts about their accomplishments and contributions. This book inspires kids about a world of possibilities and taps into their natural curiosity about fascinating role models from education advocate Malala Yousafzai to astronaut Neil Armstrong.

Explore My World Koalas

by Jill Esbaum

Curious kids ages 3 to 7 will learn about a day in the life of a koala, from mama's pouch to the great world beyond. These engaging Explore My World picture books on subjects kids care about combine simple stories with unforgettable photography. They invite little kids to take their first big steps toward understanding the world around them and are just the thing for parents and kids to curl up with and read aloud.

Teeny Tiny Toady

by Jill Esbaum

“Teeny is ‘toadally’ terrific. . . . A triumphant reaffirmation of the truth that large hearts can beat in small chests, told in playful verse that gallops along with nary a stumble.” —Kirkus Reviews

When a giant hand scoops up her mama and puts her in a pail, a terrified tiny toad named Teeny hops faster than she ever did in her life. "Mama’s stuck inside a bucket! Help me get her out!” she begs her big, clumsy brothers. “Don’t you worry, kid. We’ll save her!” they promise, bumbling and stumbling and jumbling out the door. But as the boys rush headlong to the rescue, pushing their little sister aside, it becomes clear: brawn isn't always better than brains—and the smallest of the family may just be the smartest one of all. Written in lilting verse, this teeny book packs in humor, emotion, and triumphant girl power.

Elwood Bigfoot: Wanted: Birdie Friends!

by Jill Esbaum

Elwood Bigfoot is big, clumsy, LOUD . . . and lonely. It's hard for him to make friends—especially with the tiny, delicate birdies he loves so much. Each flash of their feathers, each chirp and cheerful song helps him feel less alone. But whenever a birdie swoops by, and Elwood hollers at it to STAY, the scared creature flies away. He tries everything: sitting on a branch, having a housewarming party, even building an amusement park with snacks and pools. But nothing helps—until Elwood finally learns how to make his bird dreams come true.

One of the Globe & Mail's 100 Best Books of the Year!

If a T. Rex Crashes Your Birthday Party

by Jill Esbaum

You never know what will happen when a T. Rex crashes your birthday party. Sure, you'll be super excited when he turns up at your door. But then he’ll stomp. He’ll ROAR. He’ll look at you as if he’s wondering how you taste with a little mustard. In the end, though, you just may find yourself asking him to come back next year! This delightfully whimsical picture book has a fun twist kids will love.

The Brave Friend Leads the Way!: Ready-to-Read Graphics Level 1 (Thunder and Cluck)

by Jill Esbaum

Two unlikely dinosaur friends brave the way in the second book in the Thunder and Cluck Level 1 Ready-to-Read Graphics series!

It is a hot day. Thunder and Cluck find a dark, cool cave. But which friend is brave enough to lead the way in?

Ready-to-Read Graphics books give readers the perfect introduction to the graphic novel format with easy-to-follow panels, speech bubbles with accessible vocabulary, and sequential storytelling that is spot-on for beginning readers. There’s even a how-to guide for reading graphic novels at the beginning of each book.

Friends Do Not Eat Friends: Ready-to-Read Graphics Level 1 (Thunder and Cluck)

by Jill Esbaum

Two dinosaurs with larger-than-life personalities become unlikely friends in this silly and sweet Level 1 Ready-to-Read Graphics book, the first in a new series!

Thunder is big. Cluck is small. Thunder likes to ROAR! Cluck likes to say “hello!”

Can Thunder and Cluck be friends?

Ready-to-Read Graphics books give readers the perfect introduction to the graphic novel format with easy-to-follow panels, speech bubbles with accessible vocabulary, and sequential storytelling that is spot-on for beginning readers. There’s even a how-to guide for reading graphic novels at the beginning of each book.

National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Why 2 (National Geographic Little Kids First Big Books)

by Jill Esbaum

Following up on the best-selling Little Kids First Big Book of Why, the next book in the hit Little Kids First Big Book series features even more of the endless "Why?" questions preschoolers love to ask!

This charming reference book answers some of kids' most burning "Why?" questions. More than 200 colorful photos are paired with age-appropriate text featuring answers to questions like "Why do dogs sniff everything?" "Why do I burp?" and "Why is ocean water salty?" This book inspires kids to be curious, ask questions, and explore the world around them.

How to Grow a Dinosaur

by Jill Esbaum

A big-kid dinosaur can’t wait to teach the new baby everything in this funny, tender, joyful take on becoming a big sister or brother, from the celebrated artist of I Don't Want to Be a Frog

Good news: Your mom's hatching a baby! Bad news: Babies take their sweet time. And when they finally do hatch? They’re too little to play! They don’t even know how to be a dinosaur. That's where you come in. You can teach your baby everything—from peek-a-boo to roaring to table manners to bedtime. Growing a dinosaur is a big job, but you're perfect for it. Because one thing the baby wants more than anything? It’s to be just like you.

Silly humor and sincere, moving moments, make this hilarious, reassuring, and useful “guide” a must for existing big brothers and sisters and for every big brother and big sister to-be. Great fun for family reading too.

"Fresh . . . Adorable . . . Funny." —Publishers Weekly
"Hysterical . . . Tender." —Kirkus
"Sweet . . . Allow[s] for maximum comic effect.” —SLJ

National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of How (National Geographic Little Kids First Big Books)

by Jill Esbaum

This charming reference book answers questions kids ask every day, taking a closer look at the things that surround them and how they work—from cars to vacuum cleaners, storms to seasons, animal bodies to humans. More than 100 colorful photos are paired with age-appropriate text featuring answers to questions like "How do chameleons change color?" "How do refrigerators stay cold?" "How do tornadoes form?" "How do submarines stay underwater?" "How does food get to the grocery store?" and "How does my body heal?" This book helps parents share fascinating, accurate answers, and inspires kids to be curious, ask questions, and explore the world around them. Games and parent tips encourage interactivity and extend the experience of the book beyond its pages.

It's Corn Picking Time!

by Jill Esbaum

Hop in the tractor and ride along with a corn farmer in this rhyming read-aloud full of things that clack, whoosh, and roll!

It's corn-picking time, and the farmer has all her tools ready! The cornhead gobbles the stalks. The spreader spits out chaff. The grain wagon fills with corn!

This is the farmer, whose happy heart leaps
at the sight of those first golden, glorious heaps!

Corn-picking time is a favorite season on author Jill Esbaum's family farm, and the joy is sure to be shared by young lovers of tractors, trucks, and all manner of machines. Rhyming text pairs with Melissa Crowton's colorful illustrations for a high-energy read kids will ask for again and again. Check out the copious information found at the end of the book to discover more about life on a farm.

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection!

Lion Roars!

by Jill Esbaum

A precocious lion cub takes a risk and discovers its tremendous talent - a big lion roar!

Little learners follow the delightful story of an apprehensive lion cub wondering about its limits in this great big world. As the cub tests its strength, tries something new, and even tumbles, it realizes that it is strong, capable, and powerful.

Filled with photographic art, simple text, and charming facts, this title is the perfect choice for little lion lovers learning to find their own voice!

About the Be Bold! Series:
Like preschoolers, young animals must learn to be bold and to try new things! In doing so, we can all discover some of our most incredible abilities and attributes! So join these creatures as they learn to hop, swim, roar, and more -inspiring little readers everywhere to BE BOLD!

National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Where

by Jill Esbaum

Preschoolers are full of "Where?" questions, and this next book in the best-selling Little Kids First Big Book series is full of fascinating and often surprising answers for them.

This charming reference book zeroes in on location, location, location. More than 200 colorful photos are paired with age-appropriate text featuring answers to questions like, "Where does the sky end?" "Where is the highest mountain?" and, "Where was ice cream invented?" Containing several kid-friendly maps designed to expand the learning experience, this book inspires kids to be curious, ask questions, and explore the world around them.