{"title":"Eliza's Staff Picks","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"the-witch-in-the-tower-the-three-sisters","title":"The Witch in the Tower","description":"\u003cb\u003e\"Not merely a modern classic but one for the ages. . . . Utterly spellbinding.\" --\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e (starred review)\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Gorgeous illustrations are the star of this fantastical adventure about hidden magic, growing up, and braving the unknown to find yourself.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Everything is changing for Carmela. Her older sister, Franca, has new, mean friends, and Carmela is feeling lost and lonely. So she decides to go for a walk--to walk until she can't anymore, then walk a bit more. Her walking takes her to a strange tower, and what she finds there will transform her life forever. In this companion to \u003ci\u003eThe Queen in the Cave\u003c\/i\u003e, her authorial debut, renowned illustrator Júlia Sardà ventures into a mesmerizing world where mermaid grease washes away envy, a giant's hair helps you face bullies, a circular library holds all your secrets, and a dome of crystal prisms opens a view to the cosmos. Dreamlike and filled with whimsy, the artist's kaleidoscopic patterns, decorative borders, glowing colors, and layered, elaborately detailed imagery will bewitch young readers as readily as the title character does Carmela--and beckon them to return for many a visit.","brand":"Candlewick Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45016562073772,"sku":"9781536243017","price":19.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/6626\/7820\/files\/9781536243017.jpg?v=1763582775"},{"product_id":"her-muddy-majesty-of-muck","title":"Her Muddy Majesty of Muck","description":"\u003cb\u003eFrom international picture book star Beatrice Alemagna comes an enchanting new fairy tale set in a mucky, magical underground world where the Mud Princess rules.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eA little girl’s too-big feelings spur a cathartic journey of adventure and discovery, in this picture book for kids ages 5–8, perfect for fans of \u003ci\u003eWhere the Wild Things Are\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYuki is lost in a dark mood on her way home from school. In a flash of frustration, she tosses her house keys down an open manhole. When she climbs down to retrieve them, she discovers another world: Mudland.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Mud Princess, an enormous dripping thing made of mud and sticks, greets Yuki and shows her the wonders of her kingdom. Yuki’s dark mood is at home here—her sadness and anger fit right in. As they journey together, the Mud Princess becomes larger, absorbing the anger around her. Everything the princess touches becomes muddy, even Yuki. Yuki faces a choice—to become a Mud Princess herself or to return to the world above ground and its expectations.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAs in her other picture books, Beatrice Alemagna explores children’s feelings in a way that speaks to them directly. The Muddy Majesty of Muck explores anger and frustration with humor and brings us two unforgettable characters, the relatable Yuki and the strange and fascinating Mud Princess.","brand":"INGRAM BOOK CO.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46356138655916,"sku":"9781662641305","price":19.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/6626\/7820\/files\/26802643482779.jpg?v=1781633269"},{"product_id":"fritz-a-mushroom-story","title":"Fritz: A Mushroom Story","description":"\u003cb\u003eJoin Fritz, an introverted chanterelle mushroom, and his friend Pip, an exuberant fly agaric mushroom, on a day of fun and adventure in this adorable picture book from the illustrator of the \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestseller \u003ci\u003eMy Little Brave Girl\u003c\/i\u003e!\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMeet Fritz. He likes rose hip ice cream on warm days and cream of chestnut soup on cold ones. Sometimes, Fritz likes to play with lots of friends. Sometimes, he likes playing with his extroverted best friend Pip (who likes blackberry bramble ice cream on hot days and spicy nettle stew on cold ones). But most often, Fritz likes to spend time all by himself. Time to be quiet. Time to do lots of things or nothing at all.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOne morning, Fritz decides to have a very Pip-like day, to see what it's like being Pip. The day starts with an exciting morning of berryball, followed by a swim in the puddle pond — and then blowing bubbles in the violet patch!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBut as the day goes on, Fritz starts getting more and more frazzled — it's exhausting work being so social when you're an introvert! How can Fritz get the quiet time he needs when there's so much going on? Find out in this sweet new picture book by talented author-illustrator Kelsey Garrity-Riley.","brand":"Penguin Random House","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46356158841004,"sku":"9780735264335","price":18.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/6626\/7820\/files\/21343643482449.jpg?v=1781633674"},{"product_id":"this-is-what-a-slug-does","title":"This is What a Slug Does","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eA hilariously slimy dive into the surprisingly weird world of slugs.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e How do slugs see when they don't have eyes? Why do they leave behind that weird, gloopy trail? And can a slug really retract its head?\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003ci\u003eThis Is What a Slug Does\u003c\/i\u003e is the first book in a brilliantly funny, fact-packed nonfiction series that takes a closer look at the strange--and sometimes slimy--lives of animals. Full of digging, chomping, sliming, and general oddness. Because that is what animals do.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e PACKED WITH FACTS: Bite-sized facts wrapped up in a fun story make this perfect for curious kids. Bonus content at the back of the book give little zoologists even more information about their new favorite animal!\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e HILARIOUS AND EDUCATIONAL: If Jon Klassen wrote a funny nonfiction book about slugs, this is what it would look like.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e A NATURE BOOK TO SHARE: Hilariously illustrated and packed with facts about the strange and amazing world of slugs, curious kids will find a wealth of information and inspiration in this fascinating picture book.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Perfect for:\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eGift-givers who are looking for a fun book about animals\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eParents, grandparents, caregivers, and educators\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eAny kid who loves learning about animals and the nature\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Chronicle Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46356459716780,"sku":"9798895090695","price":18.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/6626\/7820\/files\/SlugDoes.jpg?v=1783108168"},{"product_id":"the-wise-pickle","title":"The Wise Pickle","description":"\u003cp\u003eA hilariously absurd and philosophical picture book for 3-to-7-year-olds about a pickle slowly withering in the sun, sharing its hard-earned wisdom with the local animal population and preparing to be eaten by a dog (its preferred way to go). For fans of I Want My Hat Back and The Skunk.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA pickle arrives out of nowhere.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"I have lived a lot of life,\" it says.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs the pickle slowly withers in the hot sun, the local animals ask it questions. Questions like \"Do you ever get bored?\" and \"Are you hungry?\" and \"Why are we here?\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe pickle has all the answers.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eExcept one: what happens next?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA truly weird and wonderful book, The Wise Pickle will charm readers big and small with its combination of subtle humor, pathos and ridiculousness, all perfectly captured in Sabina Hahn's delightful illustrations.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46657589641388,"sku":"9781774886984","price":18.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/6626\/7820\/files\/9781774886984.jpg?v=1782412852"},{"product_id":"and-then-we-saw-the-bag-trash-to-them-treasure-to-us-adbage-adventures","title":"And Then We Saw the Bag . . .: Trash to Them, Treasure to Us","description":"\u003cp\u003eA laugh-out-loud story about kid-parent power dynamics, the vital importance of play, and saving what matters. Because who really decides what is trash and what is a beloved toy? And what would happen if adults didn't always get their way?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Emma AdBage KNOWS families, doesn't she? Deeply funny and scathingly true. A tale for any kid who has 'rescued' their beloveds from willfully obtuse adults.\" Betsy Bird, School Library Journal Contributor, Author, and Librarian\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhen the two sisters come home, they notice it right away. The house is too empty. Too tidy. And it smells . . . clean. The parents claim they've just dusted and picked a little, but in the hall there's a black bag, filled with all sorts of \"unimportant\" and \"broken\" items.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA rescue operation is immediately launched! A favorite eraser, a beloved trinket box with sand from a vacation and a mini pen from another vacation are dug up. But worst of all – Woody! A piece of wood that's more than just a stick. It's a baby cousin, a friend, and part of the family! How could their parents even think of throwing him away?! The sisters have to do something about this...\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Simon \u0026 Schuster","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47127877386412,"sku":"9781646900541","price":18.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/6626\/7820\/files\/9781646900541.jpg?v=1788461275"},{"product_id":"the-undead-fox-of-deadwood-forest-newbery-honor-award-winner","title":"The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest (Softcover)","description":"\u003cp\u003eA Newbery Honor Award Book!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA fox and a badger begrudgingly team up to change their destinies in this endearing middle grade novel—perfect for fans of Kate DiCamillo and Katherine Applegate.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFeaturing black-and-white illustrations throughout, this critically acclaimed novel brings Deadwood Forest to life through both words and art.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e★ “Heartbreaking, marvelously funny, and generously redemptive.” ―Kirkus, starred review\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eClare is the undead fox of Deadwood Forest. Here, leaves grow in a perpetual state of fall: not quite dead, but not quite alive—just like Clare. Long ago, he was struck by a car, and, hovering between life and death, he was given the choice to either cross into the Afterlife or become an Usher of wandering souls. Clare chose the latter: a solitary life of guiding souls to their final resting place.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eClare’s quiet and predictable days are met with upheaval when a badger soul named Gingersnipes knocks on his door. Despite Clare’s efforts to usher her into the Afterlife, the badger is unable to leave Deadwood. This is unprecedented. Baffling. A disturbing mystery which threatens the delicate balance between the living and the dead.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDesperate for help, Clare and Gingersnipes set out on a treacherous journey to find Hesterfowl—the visionary grouse who recently foretold of turmoil in Deadwood. But upon their arrival, Hesterfowl divulges a shocking revelation that leaves Clare devastated, outraged, and determined to do anything to change his fate.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hachette Book Group","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47135813599404,"sku":"9780316575737","price":8.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/6626\/7820\/files\/9780316575737.jpg?v=1788640798"}],"url":"https:\/\/shop.carlemuseum.org\/collections\/elizas-staff-picks.oembed","provider":"The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art","version":"1.0","type":"link"}