Welcome to the Spotlight

Here you’ll find some of our favorite new books. Be sure to check back often for new recommendations!

Tell us what you think! Use our Paw Scale to rate the books from 1 – 5 paws and enter your beary own review!

Herman and Marguerite: An Earth Story, by Jay O'Callahan/Illustrator Laura O'Callahan, Peachtree Publishers

When a shy earthworm and caterpillar waiting to become a butterfly meet, they become best friends, despite their differences. Together, they bring life back to the lonely orchard with their friendship and their songs.
Paw Rating:
Reader's Reviews
This book was a great book!
devyn, age 5
hi i am jenna i like to read reading is cool beacues it is a good way to ecspris your feelings and it helps you to be smarter !
jenna, age 7
Tell us why you think this book is pawsome!
Have you read this book? If so, rate it with our exclusive paw rating. Select the number of paws to award this book - 5 paws means it’s pawsome and 1 paw means it’s not your favorite.

Wangari’s Trees of Peace, by Jeanette Winter, Harcourt Books for Children

As a young girl growing up in Kenya, Wangari was surrounded by trees. But years later when she returns home, she is shocked to see whole forests being cut down, and she knows that soon all the trees will be destroyed. So Wangari decides to do something—and starts by planting nine seedlings in her own backyard. And as they grow, so do her plans…

This true story of Wangari Maathai, environmentalist and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, is a shining example of how one woman’s passion, vision, and determination inspired great change.
Paw Rating:
Tell us why you think this book is pawsome!
Have you read this book? If so, rate it with our exclusive paw rating. Select the number of paws to award this book - 5 paws means it’s pawsome and 1 paw means it’s not your favorite.

A Friend, by Anette Bley, Kane Miller, a Division of EDC Publishing

All kinds of friendships are explored in this lovely, quiet volume. A tribute to them all, this is a book to be shared both with those just beginning the process of gathering and making friends, and those who have a lifetime of shared laughter and experiences behind them.
Paw Rating:
Tell us why you think this book is pawsome!
Have you read this book? If so, rate it with our exclusive paw rating. Select the number of paws to award this book - 5 paws means it’s pawsome and 1 paw means it’s not your favorite.

Stuff! Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, by Steven Kroll/Illustrator Steve Cox, Marshall Cavendish Children’s Books

Pinch is a packrat. He collects lots of stuff. When his friends decide to hold a tag sale, Pinch is horrified. The last thing he wants to do is recycle his things. But then he realizes that he can make money at a tag sale—enough money to buy more stuff!
Paw Rating:
Tell us why you think this book is pawsome!
Have you read this book? If so, rate it with our exclusive paw rating. Select the number of paws to award this book - 5 paws means it’s pawsome and 1 paw means it’s not your favorite.

Love the Baby, by Steven L. Layne/Illustrator Ard Hoyt, Pelican Publishing Company, Inc.

Older siblings are notorious for reluctantly welcoming home a new bundle of joy, and many parents know the difficulty of teaching the firstborn to "love the baby." In this new picture book by the award-winning team of Steven Layne and Ard Hoyt, the refrain of "looooove the baby" is repeated often enough for it to eventually come true for the once insecure and spiteful older brother.
Paw Rating:
Tell us why you think this book is pawsome!
Have you read this book? If so, rate it with our exclusive paw rating. Select the number of paws to award this book - 5 paws means it’s pawsome and 1 paw means it’s not your favorite.

Let it Shine, by Ashley Bryan/Ashley Bryan, Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Ashley Bryan brings a kaleidoscope of color and cut paper to his three favorite songs: This Little Light of Mine, O When the Saints Go Marching In, and He's Got the Whole World in his Hands. The result is a joyous and moving celebration of African-American spirituals.
Paw Rating:
Tell us why you think this book is pawsome!
Have you read this book? If so, rate it with our exclusive paw rating. Select the number of paws to award this book - 5 paws means it’s pawsome and 1 paw means it’s not your favorite.

The Little Red Elf, by Barbara Barbieri McGrath/Illustrated by Rosalinde Bonnet, Charlesbridge

This clever retelling of†The Little Red He features a little red elf and her lazy friends. When the cheerful elf cat get help planting the pinecones or decorating the Christmas tree, she knows just how to reward her friends.
Paw Rating:
Reader's Reviews
its superub
abbe, age 10
I love books that sound like this. it sounds very intresting.
Katie, age 8
Tell us why you think this book is pawsome!
Have you read this book? If so, rate it with our exclusive paw rating. Select the number of paws to award this book - 5 paws means it’s pawsome and 1 paw means it’s not your favorite.

Nathan’s Hanukkah Bargain, by Jacqueline Dembar Greene/Illustrated by Judith Hierstein, Pelican Publishing Company, Inc.

It's time for Hanukkah, and Nathan and his grandfather decide to visit the city. There are many shops with new toys and mouth-watering candy, but Nathan has saved his money all year for one thing-his very own menorah.
Paw Rating:
Tell us why you think this book is pawsome!
Have you read this book? If so, rate it with our exclusive paw rating. Select the number of paws to award this book - 5 paws means it’s pawsome and 1 paw means it’s not your favorite.

The Twelve Days of Christmas, by Illustrated by Gennady Spirin, Marshall Cavendish Children’s Books

Sumptuous paintings bring new life and spectacular beauty to this classic song.
Paw Rating:
Tell us why you think this book is pawsome!
Have you read this book? If so, rate it with our exclusive paw rating. Select the number of paws to award this book - 5 paws means it’s pawsome and 1 paw means it’s not your favorite.

Fancy Nancy: Splendiferous Christmas, by Jane O'Connor/Illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser, HarperCollins

For Nancy, there’s no fancier holiday than Christmas (and there’s no such thing as too much tinsel!)
Paw Rating:
Reader's Reviews
I think fancy nancy spendiferous christmas is one fo the best christmas books ever in history
Kaylee, age 8
i think this a wonderful book my extention teacher mrs.jonhson loves fancy nancy because her name is nancy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
taylor.t., age 10
Tell us why you think this book is pawsome!
Have you read this book? If so, rate it with our exclusive paw rating. Select the number of paws to award this book - 5 paws means it’s pawsome and 1 paw means it’s not your favorite.

The Pilgrims' Thanksgiving from A to Z, by Laura Crawford/Illustrated by Judith Hierstein, Pelican Publishing Company, Inc.

Filled with gorgeously vivid illustrations, The Pilgrims' Thanksgiving from A to Z is an alphabetized version of the Pilgrims' story, tracing their arrival on the Mayflower to their first harvest festival in 1621.
Paw Rating:
Tell us why you think this book is pawsome!
Have you read this book? If so, rate it with our exclusive paw rating. Select the number of paws to award this book - 5 paws means it’s pawsome and 1 paw means it’s not your favorite.

Amelia Bedelia Talks Turkey, by Herman Parish/Illustrated by Lynn Sweat, Greenwillow Books

When Amelia Bedelia takes on the school Thanksgiving pageant, the results are deliciously funny!
Paw Rating:
Reader's Reviews
its funny.
michelle, age 13
I used to read Amelia Bedilia books all of the time. This one is definatley one of my favorites!! Frosty the Snowman Rocks!
Taylor, age 12
Tell us why you think this book is pawsome!
Have you read this book? If so, rate it with our exclusive paw rating. Select the number of paws to award this book - 5 paws means it’s pawsome and 1 paw means it’s not your favorite.

Turkey Trouble, by Wendi Silvano/Illustrated by Lee Harper, Marshall Cavendish Children’s Books

A turkey tries to hide on Thanksgiving by disguising himself as other animals on the farm
Paw Rating:
Reader's Reviews
it was awsome
courtney, age 5
Tell us why you think this book is pawsome!
Have you read this book? If so, rate it with our exclusive paw rating. Select the number of paws to award this book - 5 paws means it’s pawsome and 1 paw means it’s not your favorite.

BEFORE COLUMBUS: The Americas of 1491, by Charles C. Mann, Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Remember learning about the societies living and thriving in North and South America before colonization? No? Remember learning about advanced farming methods and democratic governments that existed in the Americas before Columbus? No? Well, of course not. In our nation’s schools, very little is taught about Native American history and most children come away with no more than a diorama of a longhouse and a new catch phrase: “Geronimo!”
Paw Rating:
Tell us why you think this book is pawsome!
Have you read this book? If so, rate it with our exclusive paw rating. Select the number of paws to award this book - 5 paws means it’s pawsome and 1 paw means it’s not your favorite.

Build-A-Bear Workshop extends a special thank you to First Book and The Children's Book Council, Inc. for their partnership and support of Bearemy's Book Club.

The Children's Book Council, Inc. is the nonprofit trade association of United States publishers and packagers of trade books for children and young adults and is the official sponsor of Children's Book Week.