PAL: Published and Listed

Susannah Buhrman-Deever’s new picture book is Before the Seed: How Pollen Moves (illustrated by Gina Triplett and Matt Curtius). We live in a world of plants: trees, grasses, flowers. And all of those plants grow from seeds. But before the seeds form, pollen has to move from one flower to another. Sometimes it’s the wind that carries pollen, sometimes it’s a bird or a bee, a midge or a moth. Released March 12 from MIT Kids Press.

DJ Brandon’s newest book, “Tell Me Why the Jack Pine Grows,” is a middle grade novel in verse. The story centers around Meadow, who is enjoying a carefree country summer tending chickens and exploring the outdoors. She’s content at home with her father, brother, and Nanna and wishes she could stay a kid forever. But one day a creepy man in a green car stops her on the road and alarms her with an uncomfortable request. That brief encounter fills her with a new anxiety that she can’t share with anyone. But when a friend is also approached by the same creepy man, Meadow realizes she must use her voice to protect others. Released February 1 from West 44 Books

Peggy Thomas has two books releasing this spring! From worms to roots to melons to compost, The Soil in Jackie’s Garden (illustrated by Neely Daggett) shows how and why healthy soil is vital for gardens. It releases May 29 from ‎Feeding Minds Press. A Family of Trees (illustrated by Cookie Moon) is a board book that introduces young children to forests. Peggy shows how trees care for each other, share food, and create a home together. It releases May 22 from Phaidon Press.

Mylisa Larsen’s newest picture book is “All Of Those Babies” (illustrated by Stephanie Laberis). Using bouncy rhyme, Mylisa introduces babies from across the animal kingdom. From pufflings (baby puffins) to puggles (baby echidnas), she shows how all these babies start out little and then, just like humans, they grow and grow and grow. Her newest picture book celebrates how – no matter what species – everyone grows! Releases February 6 from Beach Lane Books.

Rowen MacCarald’s picture book, How Mom Met Mama (illustrated by Georgia Stylou) is part modern fairy tale, part adventure story, and all about a family formed through love and acceptance. There are mermaids, pirates, wizards, and dragons! Releases May 7 from Reycraft Books.