**May Staff Picks**

By Christine Palomino | May 1 2018 | AdultsAllChildren'sGeneralGiftPop Culture

It’s been a long and tough winter – let’s turn our thoughts to summer and enjoying nature!

An Atlas of Imaginary Places
An Atlas of Imaginary Places
Ana de Lima, Mia Cassany
978-3-7913-7347-8
This dreamy, gorgeously detailed picture book leads children on a journey to impossible but wonderfully imagined places.
$19.95 US
May 08, 2018
9 x 12-1/2
Hardcover
40 Pages
Prestel Junior
Age 4-8 years
Preschool - 3
Backcountry Log
Backcountry Log
Kathryn Hunter
978-1-5247-6123-3
A notebook that combines an appreciation for nature with the handcrafted feel of letterpress printing, Back Country Log is the perfect gift for a camper or outdoorsman.
$12.99 US
May 01, 2018
4 x 6
Stationery & Accessories
224 Pages
Clarkson Potter
Age
Boat Book
Boat Book
Gail Gibbons
978-0-8234-3978-2
A nonfiction board book that introduces a flotilla of different exciting boats to toddlers.
$7.99 US
May 08, 2018
6-3/4 x 6
Board Book
20 Pages
Holiday House
Age 0-3 years
Up to Preschool
A Burger to Believe In
A Burger to Believe In
Recipes and Fundamentals [A Cookbook]
Chris Kronner, Paolo Lucchesi
978-0-399-57926-4
A deep-dive into the art and philosophy of making the perfect hamburger--with recipes for game-changing burgers and all the accoutrements--from the cult favorite Oakland restaurant KronnerBurger.
$29.99 US
May 22, 2018
7-1/4 x 10
Hardcover
240 Pages
Ten Speed Press
Age
Cutting Machine Crafts with Your Cricut, Sizzix, or Silhouette
Cutting Machine Crafts with Your Cricut, Sizzix, or Silhouette
Die Cutting Machine Projects to Make with 60 SVG Files
Lia Griffith
978-1-9848-2235-2
This beautiful craft book includes 50 projects (with 60 templates) you can make using your Cricut, Silhouette, or Brother cutting machine, by downloading the templates, running your materials through the machine to cut out the patterns, and following the instructions to assemble beautiful home items, kids' crafts, and seasonal décor. With an introduction to personal cutting machines and plenty of variations for different materials (paper, vinyl, iron-on) for each project, this book is full of inspiration and expert advice.
$16.99 US
May 01, 2018
8-1/2 x 10-7/8
Paperback
192 Pages
Clarkson Potter
Age
Flower Fairies of the Summer
Flower Fairies of the Summer
Cicely Mary Barker
978-0-241-33547-5
Experience the beauty and the magic of Cicely Mary Barker's famous Flower Fairies, with a new edition of Cicely Mary Barker's Flower Fairies of the Summer.
$7.99 US
May 01, 2018
4-1/8 x 5-1/2
Hardcover
56 Pages
Warne
Age 3-7 years
Preschool - 2
Froggy's Lemonade Stand
Froggy's Lemonade Stand
Jonathan London, Frank Remkiewicz
978-1-101-99967-7
Froggy has a lemonade stand, but he's done it his way!
$16.99 US
May 15, 2018
10 x 8
Hardcover
32 Pages
Viking Books for Young Readers
Age 3-5 years
Up to Kindergarten
Happy Cactus
Happy Cactus
Cacti, Succulents, and More
DK
978-1-4654-7453-7
In-depth profiles, care tips, and display inspiration for more than 50 popular cactus and succulent varieties.
$14.99 US
May 15, 2018
5-13/16 x 7-9/16
Hardcover
144 Pages
DK
Age
Hedgehog
Hedgehog
Ashlyn Anstee
978-1-77049-991-1
Hedgehog is hogging the hedge and won't let the other animals live there. In this humorous political allegory, he learns that it's not a winning strategy.
$17.99 US
May 08, 2018
8-1/2 x 9-1/2
Hardcover
40 Pages
Tundra Books
Age 3-7 years
Preschool - 2
Hello Color
Hello Color
25 Bright Ideas for DIY Decor
Rachel Mae Smith
978-1-68369-017-7
Say goodbye to dull décor and hello to color with 25 simple DIY projects with Rachel Mae Smith, the pink-haired proprietor of popular lifestyle blog The Crafted Life!
$22.99 US
May 01, 2018
7-1/2 x 8-1/2
Hardcover
176 Pages
Quirk Books
Age
Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, Tacos & Margaritas
Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, Tacos & Margaritas
130 Fun Recipes
Steve Burggraf, Elsa Launay, Alexandre Auriac, Guillaume Pagliano
978-1-925418-49-1
A smart, fun collection of everyone's favorite foods in a single book - hotdogs, hamburgers, tacos and margaritas.
$27.50 US
May 01, 2018
7-1/2 x 7-1/2
Hardcover
216 Pages
Smith Street Books
Age
How to Code a Sandcastle
How to Code a Sandcastle
Josh Funk, Sara Palacios
978-0-425-29198-6
The first picture book in our Girls Who Code program, a lively and funny story that introduces kids to computer coding.
$17.99 US
May 15, 2018
10 x 10
Hardcover
44 Pages
Viking Books for Young Readers
Age 4-8 years
Preschool - 3
How to Draw Woodland Animals In Simple Steps
How to Draw Woodland Animals In Simple Steps
Susie Hodge
978-1-78221-625-4
Learn to draw 20 different, charming woodland animals from scratch in a few easy steps
$9.95 US
May 22, 2018
8-1/2 x 11-1/2
Paperback
32 Pages
Search Press
Age
Inspiralized and Beyond
Inspiralized and Beyond
Spiralize, Chop, Rice, and Mash Your Vegetables into Creative, Craveable Meals: A Cookbook
Ali Maffucci
978-1-5247-6268-1
Ali Maffucci is back with more creative ways to eat vegetables than ever before--30% spiralized, 70% brand-new innovation for carb and even meat-replacements.
$21.99 US
May 01, 2018
7-3/8 x 9-1/8
Paperback
288 Pages
Clarkson Potter
Age
The Little Sailboat
The Little Sailboat
Lois Lenski
978-1-5247-7079-2
Now even smaller sailors can take to the seas in this simplified board book version of Lois Lenski's classic adventure!
$7.99 US
May 08, 2018
6 x 6
Board Book
32 Pages
Random House Books for Young Readers
Age 0-3 years
Up to Preschool
The Littlest Family's Big Day
The Littlest Family's Big Day
Emily Winfield Martin
978-0-525-57867-3
Discover another sweet and simple classic from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Wonderful Things You Will Be, Emily Winfield Martin! Join the little forest family as they explore their neighborhood for the very first time--now in a board book edition with fold out pages!
$8.99 US
May 22, 2018
6-1/8 x 8-1/4
Board Book
38 Pages
Random House Books for Young Readers
Age 0-3 years
Up to Preschool
Llive, Llaugh, Llove Llike a Llama
Llive, Llaugh, Llove Llike a Llama
Pop Press, Alena Tkach
978-0-525-57526-9
When life gives you lemons, make llama-nade! This book is an ode to the warm, snuggly llama, our current pop culture obsession.
$12.99 US
May 22, 2018
4-5/16 x 6-1/8
Hardcover
128 Pages
Clarkson Potter
Age
A Lullaby of Summer Things
A Lullaby of Summer Things
Madeline Valentine, Natalie Ziarnik
978-1-101-93552-1
In the spirit of such bedtime favorites as Emily Winfield Martin's Day Dreamers, here is a quintessential end-of-day by the beach lovingly captured and perfect for reading aloud.
$17.99 US
May 15, 2018
10 x 10
Hardcover
40 Pages
Schwartz & Wade
Age 4-8 years
Preschool - 3
Mr. Men: Road Trip!
Mr. Men: Road Trip!
Adam Hargreaves
978-1-5247-8762-2
Hit the road with the Mr. Men Little Miss crew and get ready to laugh your way across the USA!
$4.99 US
May 01, 2018
5-1/2 x 5
Paperback
32 Pages
Grosset & Dunlap
Age 3-7 years
Preschool - 2
Mrs. Peanuckle's Bird Alphabet
Mrs. Peanuckle's Bird Alphabet
Jessie Ford, Mrs. Peanuckle
978-1-62336-937-8
With playful text, bright illustrations, and sturdy pages, Mrs. Peanuckle's alphabet books will engage toddlers, and take them on an alphabet adventure through the natural world!
$7.99 US
May 08, 2018
6-7/8 x 6-7/8
Board Book
28 Pages
Rodale Kids
Age 0-3 years
Up to Preschool
Mrs. Peanuckle's Tree Alphabet
Mrs. Peanuckle's Tree Alphabet
Jessie Ford, Mrs. Peanuckle
978-1-62336-943-9
With playful text, bright illustrations, and sturdy pages, Mrs. Peanuckle's alphabet books will engage toddlers, and take them on an alphabet adventure through the natural world!
$7.99 US
May 08, 2018
6-7/8 x 6-7/8
Board Book
28 Pages
Rodale Kids
Age 0-3 years
Up to Preschool
My Awesome Summer by P. Mantis
My Awesome Summer by P. Mantis
Paul Meisel
978-0-8234-4006-1
Hilarious and scientifically accurate, this summer-long Nature Diary gives readers a bug's-eye-view on the life cycle of the praying mantis.
$7.99 US
May 08, 2018
8-7/8 x 11
Paperback
40 Pages
Holiday House
Age 4-8 years
Preschool - 3
Night Out
Night Out
Daniel Miyares
978-1-5247-6572-9
Evoking picture book classics like Aaron Becker's Journey and Chris Van Allsburg's The Polar Express, here is an emotionally rich bedtime picture book about a lonely child's nighttime adventure that is also a showcase for the extraordinary illustrations of Daniel Miyares.
$17.99 US
May 08, 2018
9-1/2 x 10-1/2
Hardcover
40 Pages
Schwartz & Wade
Age 4-8 years
Preschool - 3
Night-Night, Forest Friends
Night-Night, Forest Friends
Annie Bach
978-1-5247-8792-9
This charming board book about baby animals going to sleep is the perfect bedtime story for the youngest readers.
$8.99 US
May 08, 2018
7 x 7
Board Book
24 Pages
Grosset & Dunlap
Age 3-5 years
Up to Kindergarten
Pure Skin
Pure Skin
Discover the Japanese Ritual of Glowing
Victoria Tsai
978-1-5247-6333-6
Pure Skin modernizes ancient Japanese geisha rituals to show you how to achieve flawless skin. Armed with comprehensive information, smart tips, and natural ingredients, you'll enjoy the process almost as much as the end results.
$18.00 US
May 08, 2018
6 x 8
Hardcover
128 Pages
Clarkson Potter
Age
Road Trips
Road Trips
A Guide to Travel, Adventure, and Choosing Your Own Path
Jen CK Jacobs
978-1-61180-203-0
An abundance of travel inspiration in a small package--practical tips, fresh ideas, and personal stories to inspire adventures on the road.
$18.95 US
May 01, 2018
6 x 8
Paperback
208 Pages
Roost Books
Age
Ready to Paint in 30 Minutes: Trees & Woodlands in Watercolour
Ready to Paint in 30 Minutes: Trees & Woodlands in Watercolour
Geoff Kersey
978-1-78221-526-4
Learn to paint trees and woodlands in thirty half-hour lessons with master artist Geoff Kersey. Tracings are provided to transfer to the paper or canvass. No drawing necessary!
$19.95 US
May 01, 2018
8-1/2 x 11
Paperback
128 Pages
Search Press
Age
The Sandcastle That Lola Built
The Sandcastle That Lola Built
Kate Berube, Megan Maynor
978-1-5247-1615-8
A modern, summery spin on the classic The House That Jack Built, in which Lola's day at the beach leads to new friends and a giant sandcastle.
$17.99 US
May 15, 2018
9 x 9
Hardcover
32 Pages
Knopf Books for Young Readers
Age 3-5 years
Up to Kindergarten
The Sasquatch and the Lumberjack
The Sasquatch and the Lumberjack
Crix Sheridan
978-1-63217-161-0
An unlikely friendship develops when a lumberjack meets a sasquatch. Follow along as they share Pacific Northwest adventures through the seasons and become close friends.
$14.99 US
May 22, 2018
8-1/4 x 8-1/4
Hardcover
32 Pages
Little Bigfoot
Age 4-6 years
Preschool - 1
Saving Central Park
Saving Central Park
A History and a Memoir
Elizabeth Barlow Rogers
978-1-5247-3355-1
The story of how one woman's long love affair with New York's Central Park led her to organize its rescue from a state of serious decline, returning it to the beautiful place of recreational opportunity and spiritual sustenance that it is today.
$30.00 US
May 15, 2018
6-1/4 x 9-1/4
Hardcover
336 Pages
Knopf
Age
Session Cocktails
Session Cocktails
Low-Alcohol Drinks for Any Occasion
Drew Lazor, Editors of PUNCH
978-0-399-58086-4
A cocktail book introducing a new cannon of low-proof drinks that highlight fresh flavors and facilitate conviviality, featuring more than 60 inventive and delicious recipes.
$18.99 US
May 22, 2018
5-1/2 x 8
Hardcover
160 Pages
Ten Speed Press
Age
Shark Attack! Mad Libs
Shark Attack! Mad Libs
Mickie Matheis, Scott Brooks
978-1-5247-8819-3
Mad Libs is the world’s greatest word game and a great gift for anyone who likes to laugh! Write in the missing words on each page to create your own hilariously funny stories all about sharks. But don’t worry, there’s nothing to VERB inside Shark Attack! Mad Libs.  
$4.99 US
May 29, 2018
5-1/4 x 8-3/8
Paperback
48 Pages
Mad Libs
Age 8-12 years
Grades 3-7
Summer Houses by the Sea
Summer Houses by the Sea
The Shingle Style
Bret Morgan
978-0-8478-5848-4
An extremely popular traditionalist style, there have been other books on Shingle Style residential architecture, perhaps most notably the author's own successful volume Shingle Styles (Abrams), which is now more than fifteen years old. Our book takes a fresh look at both major houses and little known treasures, each in its romantic seaside locale--be it Jamestown, RI, or Montauk, NY--along with its warm interior rooms and often lush landscaping and gardens. The book will appeal to those who aspire to own a Shingle Style house, and to architects and students of architecture of this famed American vernacular style.
$65.00 US
May 28, 2019
9-1/4 x 11-1/4
Hardcover
272 Pages
Rizzoli
Age
Summer Supper
Summer Supper
Mike Austin, Rubin Pfeffer
978-1-5247-1464-2
A bold and graphic farm-to-table story, told entirely in words beginning with the letter "s"!
$17.99 US
May 08, 2018
9-1/2 x 9-1/2
Hardcover
40 Pages
Random House Books for Young Readers
Age 3-7 years
Preschool - 2
Walk This Wild World
Walk This Wild World
Kate Baker, Sam Brewster
978-0-7636-9899-7
A celebration of animals and their habitats around the world, with art by award-winning illustrator Sam BrewsterWalk This Wild World celebrates the wondrous diversity of animal life around the globe. With stunning artwork by Sam Brewster, travel to a new habitat and continent with every turn of the page. See polar bears in the Arctic tundra, elephants in the Serengeti grasslands, bobcats in the Sonoran Desert, gorillas in the Congo jungle, and much more. Complete with more than eighty flaps, this book is the perfect gift for all young animal lovers, and the incredible facts throughout ensure this title will be read again and again.
$19.99 US
May 22, 2018
11 x 8-1/8
Hardcover
24 Pages
Big Picture Press
Age 5-8 years
Grades K-3
Woodland Creatures
Woodland Creatures
A 10 Notebook Set
Kathryn Hunter
978-1-5247-6125-7
The perfect gift for animal lovers and nature lovers alike, this 10-notebook set from Blackbird Letterpress is stylish, yet evocative of the natural world.
$20.00 US
May 01, 2018
3-1/2 x 5-1/2
Stationery & Accessories
480 Pages
Clarkson Potter
Age
World Soccer Infographics
World Soccer Infographics
The Beautiful Game in Vital Statistics
978-0-7893-3426-8
A unique undertaking, this is truly the most comprehensive survey available on the statistics and culture of soccer around the world. This diagrammatic approach to information offers a unique and original way of presenting and understanding the story of soccer.
$22.50 US
May 01, 2018
7-1/2 x 9-1/8
Paperback
176 Pages
Universe
Age
A Year of Forest School
A Year of Forest School
Outdoor Play and Skill-building Fun for Every Season
Peter Houghton, Jane Worroll
978-1-78678-131-4
More games, crafts and skills "Forest School" style, building on the success of Play the Forest School Way. This book is organized by season to encourage kids to get outdoors come rain, shine or snow!
$18.95 US
May 15, 2018
5-3/4 x 7-7/8
Paperback
168 Pages
Watkins Publishing
Age
Tags: , , , , , , ,
Related articles