In Halloween in the Orchard (Beaming Books, 2023) by Phyllis Alsdurf, the apples are ready for harvest and Halloween is here! What better way to celebrate than by donning homemade costumes and going to the local apple orchard? In this charming story, a boy and his family enjoy everything the orchard has to offer, including searching for scarecrows, getting lost in a corn maze, and going on a hayride. Backmatter includes a search-and-find key for finding scarecrows in the book and instructions for decorating a homemade trick-or-treat bag. Recommended for kids ages 4 – 7.

• Presentation: 3:05 p.m.
• Signing: 2:45 - 3:05 p.m. AND  3:35 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Good Night, Little Man (HarperCollins, 2023) by Daniel Bernstrom is a rhythmic, heartwarming bedtime romp featuring vibrant and nuanced illustrations by Heidi Woodward Sheffield. When a persistent Little Man can’t sleep without his Sheep-Sheep, he turns the house upside down looking for his stuffed animal. His journey is stopped by an impatient father and very big emotions. Will Little Man reunite with his beloved stuffed animal before bed? Good Night, Little Man is a positive depiction not only of the bonds of father and son, but also of a multigenerational, multiracial family with roots that run deep. Recommended for kids ages 4 – 8.

• Presentation: 1:25 p.m.
• Signing: 1:05 - 1:25 p.m. AND 2:05 - 2:30 p.m.

In Gossamer Summer (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2023) by H.M. Bouwman, four sisters coping with the death of their grandmother find their summer vacation taking a magical turn when they stumble into the world of some rather unexpected fairies. A heartwarming middle grade story using fantasy and humor to explore themes of grief and friendship, Bouwman’s writing is a complete delight of originality and specificity. For the characters in Gossamer Summer, making everything right again ultimately requires a different kind of magic: the magic of sharing stories…and letting go. Recommended for kids ages 8 – 12.

• Presentation: 12:15 p.m.
• Signing: 11:55 a.m. – 12:15 p.m AND 12:45 – 1:10 p.m.

Inspired by his beloved CatStronauts stories, author/illustrator Drew Brockington’s early reader graphic novel spinoff series goes back in time to when everyone's favorite Catstronaut, Waffles, was a just kitten!

In book 3, Waffles and Pancake: Failure to Lunch (Little, Brown Ink, 2023) Waffles and Pancake build a rocket and launch themselves into problem-solving with hilarious creativity….that may involve lunch.

In book 4, Waffles and Pancake: Best Friends Fur-Ever (Little, Brown Ink, 2023) Waffles and Pancake make use of some new friends and the power of teamwork to pounce on the challenges of Space Cat Camp. Recommended for kids ages 6 – 9.

• Presentation: 11:15 a.m.
• Signing: 11:00 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. AND 11:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

In Ty Chapman’s Looking For Happy (Beaming Books, 2023), a young boy is having a dreary day, and nothing seems to help. But after trying his grandmother's way to shake the blues also fails, he discovers that happiness is easiest to find when you're not looking. Looking for Happy gently reminds readers that it's normal to have happy and sad days and normalizes speaking about emotions and seeking help. Heartfelt and hopeful, the story models emotional intelligence and self-awareness for readers of all ages. Recommended for kids ages 5 – 8.

• Presentation: 2:05 p.m.
• Signing: 1:45 - 2:05 p.m. AND 2:35 - 3:30 p.m.

Sam and the Incredible African and American Food Fight (University of Minnesota Press, 2023) is a seriously funny book by Shannon Gibney that explores how cultural clashes can emerge in a variety of settings--even at the family dinner table. Children will delight in imagining food being slung hither and yon, and be equally surprised to find out that the “fight” is actually cuisine served simultaneously by Sam’s Black American mother and Liberian father & aunt. Sam’s journey to ultimately learning to embrace both heritages makes …Food Fight an excellent way to prompt discussion around acceptance and diversity. Recommended for kids ages 5 – 9.

• Presentation: 11:45 a.m.
• Signing: 11:25 – 11:45 a.m. & 12:15 – 12:40 p.m.

In Nana and Abuela (Minnesota Historical Society Press, 2023) debut author Monica Rojas recounts a sweet and funny story from her own childhood, exploring the experience of growing up multilingual and sharing love for grandparents of different heritages. Emiko Rainbow’s playful illustrations are a glorious medley of cultures, decorating a vibrant array of turquoise, red, and yellow with flowered borders that resemble rosemaling. Nana and Abuela is a story about love and listening that celebrates relationships and communication—and what young and old alike can learn from spending time with our favorite people. Recommended for kids ages 3 – 7.

• Presentation: 12:45 p.m.
• Signing: 12:25 - 12:45 p.m. AND  1:25 p.m. - 1:50 p.m.

A musical toddler keeps his parents on their toes as he explores his world and turns everything--from walls to the family pet--into a means to tap out a beat. Capturing both the joy and frustrations of toddler life and young parenthood, Everything a Drum (Amicus Ink, 2023) by Sarah Warren will speak to both young rhythm makers and their parents. Humorous, touching illustrations of the exuberant musician celebrate musicality and daily family life with rhythmic phrases and sound words that are both fun to read aloud and well suited to hand-clapping or toe-tapping. Everything a Drum is an inviting endorsement of creative, musical play. Recommended for kids ages 3 – 5.

• Presentation: 2:35 p.m.
• Signing: 2:15 - 2:35 p.m. AND 3:05 - 3:30 p.m.