Books
Leonard Grows a Haunted Garden
By Mike Ciccotello
Leonard the cheerful, can-do ghost is growing his family a garden. The other ghosts want it to be the scariest garden EVER! But the more Leonard sows, the less creepy their new garden seems. He plants plants flowers that are pretty instead of putrid, and installs bird feeders instead of bat boxes. Has Leonard made a grave mistake? Or will this botanical surprise blossom into a spook-tacular delight?
This book is now available for preorder wherever books are sold!
Leonard Builds a Haunted House
By Mike Ciccotello
Leonard the cheerful, can-do ghost is building his family members a new haunted house. It needs to be the scariest house EVER! Except the more Leonard builds, the less creepy their new home looks. From the un-scary cellar to the snug roof that doesn’t leak, it’s nothing like the house of horrors his family imagined . . . or is it?
This book is now available for preorder wherever books are sold!
“Leonard and his ghostly family are a typical spooky bunch, living in a haunted house until the town decides to demolish it to make room for a fun plex. Rather than mourning, Leonard gets to work: he finds a new plot, researches construction, and begins to build a new home . . . This is another winner from Ciccotello that blends heart and humor in both text and illustration. A fun, feel-good story about self-expression with a spooky twist, perfect all year around or the Halloween shelves.” —School Library Journal
“Ciccotello amusingly draws on haunted house tropes in this crisp, construction-oriented picture book about a crew of ghosts who seek to build a dream home after developers buy their condemned residence.” —Publishers Weekly
“Construction fans will go for the building parts, and the ghosts are admittedly quite endearing.” —Kirkus Reviews
Beach Toys vs. School Supplies
By Mike Ciccotello
Summer is winding down and school is just around the corner when two old rivals meet at the beach. Shovel thinks Ruler is a number-obsessed know-it-all. Ruler thinks Shovel is all play and no work. So when their two gangs challenge one another to a beachfront competition, the contest between beach toys and school supplies gets heated. Who will win? Who will have more fun? And will they be able to step up to help each other when unexpected disaster sweeps in?
2023 Bill Martin, Jr. Picture Book Award Winner
“Everyone wins in Ciccotello’s tale, in which an impending crisis inspires cooperation and leads to friendship. Kids who enjoy wordplay will relish the many puns and wisecracks within the text . . . Capturing the conflict’s drama as well as its happy resolution, the colorful illustrations create a breezy day-at-the-beach vibe. Fun for reading aloud.” —Booklist
“Bright art in pencil and crayon textures details the competition as the two witty crews join forces for what becomes a (slightly begrudging) celebration of individual style, and a fun enterprise all around.” —Publishers Weekly
“Loads of fun . . . a great selection for back-to-school displays.” —School Library Journal
“The silly seaside story, with its jaunty cartoon art, will help readers recall the joys of summer well into the fall.” —Horn Book
Twins
By Mike Ciccotello
These two do everything together, from leap frogging and trick-or-treating, to dancing and even, sometimes, disagreeing. Each half of this perfect pair understands that being a twin may have a lot of ups and downs, but in the end, it’s great knowing there’s someone in your world who is just like you.
“The vignette cartoons are emotionally direct and sweet, rendering the two protagonists with eager eyes and openhearted smiles. . .Equally relevant to any child who is lucky to have a close sibling or an unrelated soulmate.” —Publishers Weekly
“The text is clear, brief, and concise, perfect for young listeners. The illustrations are happy, bright, and comical, perfectly mirroring the story line laid out in text.. . .A fun and amusing picture book celebration of twinhood, great for one-on-one or small group sharing.” —School Library Journal
Croc & Gator: Swamp Ranger School
By Lisa Katzenberger
Illustrated by Mike Ciccotello
Croc and Gator could not be more different, but the one thing they have in common is the love of their swamp. And now they are old enough to train as junior Swamp Rangers! They can’t wait to learn about all the swamp’s plants and animals, and how to protect them.
When outgoing Gator and reclusive Croc are paired up, neither is sure about the other. But it turns out that their differences help them ace their tests and reward them training certificates to become the best Swamp Rangers!
“In a narrative that highlights burgeoning self-awareness and appreciation for each other’s talents, Katzenberger celebrates the fragile beauty of the protagonists’ swamp habitat and offers simple messaging about conservation.” —Publishers Weekly
I'm a Virus
By Bridget Heos
Illustrated by Mike Ciccotello
In friendly, simple text, the most “common” virus, rhinovirus (the common cold), explains how viruses work and spread. With funny, engaging, and informative illustrations, this is the perfect way to explain viruses to young children who have questions in the wake of a pandemic. The nonthreatening common cold walks readers through the basics of viruses, and then features past viruses we have defeated, as well as introducing COVID-19.
“A promising series starter that’s sure to engage and educate on a timely subject.” – PW
“[An] accessible and timely introduction to viruses, our immune system, and the benefits of vaccines.” – The Horn Book
“This quick read is a great introduction to viruses … it’s first-class science served up accessibly.” – SLJ
“A steady flow of specific information and general reassurance.” – Kirkus
I'm a Volcano
By Bridget Heos
Illustrated by Mike Ciccotello
In friendly, simple text and with funny, engaging, and informative illustrations, a young volcano will teach readers everything there is to know about these exploding wonders. And while volcanoes can be a bit scary, kids will learn that they are carefully monitored and that they give us a lot of beautiful things too!
I guess you could say there is a lot to lava about volcanoes!
2025 Blue Hen Award
“Simple and engaging.” – Kirkus
“A fact-filled primer on volcanoes that will answer young volcano enthusiasts’ burning questions. Perfect for browsing, research, or classroom.” – School Library Journal
“The lighthearted overall tone will soothe anxiety-prone younger audiences.” – Booklist
Treemendous: Diary of a not Yet Mighty Oak
By Bridget Heos
Illustrated by Mike Ciccotello
Told in the diary entries of an acorn, this picture book follows a young acorn and its long life as an oak tree, from being buried by a squirrel to towering over other trees. The text communicates the basic science simply and with humor, and the illustrations up the fun factor! Parents will love the sweet story and charming illustrations, and teachers and librarians will love the extra resources at the back.
2022 Selection for the Kansas National Education Association Reading Circle Catalog
“Expressive digital illustrations by Ciccotello portray the acorn and its brethren with facial features, while clearly depicted root systems and labeled diagrams give the art an educational heft that’s just right for new nonfiction readers.” —Publishers Weekly